China has once again asserted its claim over a disputed border region along its border with Bharat, following a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the area over the weekend. The visit saw PM Modi inaugurating the newly constructed bi-lane Sela Tunnel in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, a region claimed by China as Zangnan or South Tibet. The tunnel, built at a cost of Rs 825 crore, is part of a road connecting Tezpur in Assam to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, strongly criticized PM Modi’s visit, rejecting Bharat’s claim over the region. Wang emphasized that the border issue between China and Bharat remains unresolved and stated that India has no unilateral right to develop the region, which China considers its own territory. He warned that India’s actions would only complicate the border issue further and create negative disturbances in the border areas of both countries. China has lodged formal complaints with Bharat regarding the matter.
Tensions between Bharat and China have a long history, including a war along the border in 1962. The most recent dispute flared in June 2020, resulting in casualties on both sides following a brawl in the Ladakh region. This background of conflict adds to the sensitivity of any developments in the disputed border regions.
Wang’s remarks weren’t limited to the Bharat-China border issue. He also rejected external interference in resource development in the South China Sea, which China considers a matter only between itself and the coastal ASEAN countries. This statement comes in response to comments made by the Philippine ambassador to the US, Jose Manuel Romualdez, indicating the Philippines’ intention to collaborate with the US and its allies on oil and gas development in the resource-rich South China Sea.
The remarks from China’s Foreign Ministry signal a firm stance on territorial claims and resource development in both the Bharat-China border region and the South China Sea. The situation remains tense, with both Bharat and China asserting their respective claims amid ongoing geopolitical complexities.
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