India reacts to China's claim on Arunachal; calls it integral part of India

Reacting strongly to reports that China has in its recent map shown Arunachal Pradesh as its territory, India on Saturday said “cartographic depictions” do not change reality on the ground and asserted that Arunachal was an integral part of the country.

Asked about recent China maps, which show disputed areas in Arunachal and South China Sea as its own, the spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry said, “The cartographic depictions do not change the reality on the ground. The fact that Arunachal Pradesh is integral and inalienable part of India has been conveyed to Chinese authority at several occasions including at the very highest level.”

He also indicated that this may be raised by the Indian delegation, headed by Vice President Hamid Ansari, currently in China to participate in an event to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Panchsheel or Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

“It is normal practice to raise all issues of bilateral concerns,” the spokesperson said when asked if Ansari will raise it during his meetings with the Chinese leadership.

According to reports, China in its recent maps has shown disputed areas in Arunachal and South China Sea as its own. Asked about reports of fresh incursions by Chinese troops in Ladakh region, the Spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied such incident and merely said Indian soldiers guarding country’s borders were capable to secure our land.