India - China: Chinese Village in Arunachal Pradesh
There are reports that China has built an entire village in Arunachal Pradesh. NDTV channel showed satellite images in which China has allegedly built a village on the banks of River Tsari Chu in the Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. The village comprises 101 homes and encroaches approximately 4.5 kilometres into Indian territory.
BJP's Arunachal Pradesh MP Tapir Gao told the channel, "Construction is going on. China has entered more than 60-70 km inside the Upper Subansiri district if you follow the path along the river. They are constructing the road along the river known locally as the Lensi as it flows in the direction of Subansiri river".
On Gao's claim, senior Congress party leader P Chidambaram has demanded answers from the union government. He also alleged that the Chinese have altered the status quo in Arunachal Pradesh. "If this is true, it is clear that the Chinese have altered the status quo by converting a disputed area into a permanent settlement of Chinese nationals….” he asked.
Government’s reaction: The government’s reaction is that it is keeping a close watch on all developments and taking necessary measures to safeguard India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Ministry of External Affairs claimed that India has ramped up the construction of border infrastructure, including roads and bridges for the improvement of the livelihood of its citizens.
Chinese reaction: constructing within territory ‘normal’
The Chinese Foreign Ministry Thursday said China’s development and construction activities “within its own territory” is “normal” and beyond reproach in reaction to reports on building a new village in Arunachal Pradesh.
“China's position on the Zangnan region (South Tibet) is consistent and clear. We never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing.
China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet, while India’s consistent stand has been that the northeastern state is an integral and inalienable part of the country. “This is beyond reproach as it is in our territory,” Hua added.
The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC). China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet, while India contests it.
