Arunachal integral part of India: Pranab

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has unambiguously rejected any Chinese claims to the state of Arunachal Pradesh.

In a suo moto four-page statement on the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to India last week released in both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday morning, Mukherjee said: 'I am aware of the concern expressed by honourable members about the remarks made by the Chinese envoy on the eve of the visit about the status of Arunachal Pradesh. I unambiguously rejected the Chinese contention, stating that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India."

"Let me also state that the matter was taken up immediately with the Chinese government through our ambassador in Beijing and our disappointment and concerns over the Chinese statement clearly conveyed," he said.

During Hu's visit, 'the prime minister and the Chinese president exchanged views on the boundary questions and expressed satisfaction at the progress made by the special representatives. Both leaders agreed that an early resolution of the boundary question would not only advance the basic interests of the two countries, but would also invest our strategic partnership with further strength and dynamism,' Mukherjee said.

Leader of the Opposition Lal Kishenchand Advani raised the issue of the Chinese envoy's remark.

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