China asserts continued claim over Arunachal Pradesh, India dismisses as “ludicrous”

Amid escalating tensions, China reiterated its long-standing claim over Arunachal Pradesh on Monday, asserting that the region, known as Zangnan in Chinese, has always belonged to Beijing.

This statement came in response to Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s recent dismissal of China’s claims as “absurd” and reaffirmation that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian emphasised that China had historically exercised administrative control over the eastern sector, accusing India of an “illegal occupation” that disrupted this sovereignty. Jaishankar’s comments labelling China’s claims as “ludicrous” were met with further defiance from Lin, who insisted that Arunachal Pradesh falls within China’s territorial boundaries.

“Zangnan (the Chinese name for Arunachal Pradesh) in the eastern sector has always been China’s territory,” Lin said. “China had all along exercised effective administrative jurisdiction over the area “until India’s illegal occupation”, he added.

“So, I think we’ve been very clear, very consistent on this. And I think you know that is something which will be part of the boundary discussions which are taking place,” he said at the Institute of South Asian Studies of the National University of Singapore.

The ongoing dispute between the two neighbours dates back decades and centres around the undefined border between the two countries. Lin highlighted the lack of a formal delineation, referencing different sectors that remain subject to contention. He also pointed to India’s establishment of Arunachal Pradesh in 1987 as a provocative act that China vehemently opposed at the time and continues to reject as unlawful.

“In 1987, India formed the so-called “Arunachal Pradesh” on China’s territory under India’s illegal occupation. China issued a statement right then to firmly oppose it and stress that India’s move was illegal and null and void. China’s position remains unchanged,” Lin said.

This latest exchange marks the fourth instance this month where China has reiterated its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, including lodging diplomatic protests following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the region.