A US official stated that the United States acknowledges Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory in response to claims by the Chinese military that it is an “inherent part of China’s territory.” The official also emphasized the US’s strong opposition to any efforts to assert territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

During his regular briefing on Wednesday, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department, Vedant Patel, asserted that the United States acknowledges Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory. He further emphasized the US’s firm opposition to any unilateral endeavors to assert territorial claims, whether through military incursions or civilian encroachments, across the Line of Actual Control.

#WATCH | On China’s reaction to the visit of PM Modi to Arunachal Pradesh, Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson, US Department of State says, “The United States recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance… pic.twitter.com/hoXXmMX34e

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024

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The US official’s statement came three days following remarks made by Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry. Zhang stated that Beijing “never acknowledges and firmly opposes” the “so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India.”

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China refers to Arunachal Pradesh as “Zangnan” in its official stance.

In response, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed China’s claim as “absurd” and reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh “was, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India.” Jaiswal emphasized that repeating baseless arguments does not lend any validity to such claims. He reaffirmed India’s stance that Arunachal Pradesh remains an integral and inalienable part of the country, with its people benefiting from development programs and infrastructure projects.

Earlier this month, Beijing lodged a protest with New Delhi over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh. During the visit, PM Modi inaugurated the Sela tunnel, hailed as the world’s longest bi-lane tunnel, aiming to provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang. Tawang shares a boundary with China in the north, prompting concerns from Beijing.

The tunnel, constructed at a cost of Rs 825 crore, is expected to facilitate improved movement of troops and arms to forward locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

China reiterated its stance, stating that it “never recognized the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally set up by India and firmly opposes it” at the time of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to inaugurate the Sela tunnel.

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