US Envoy’s Arunachal Visit Rattles China; Not Unusual, Says India

China’s comment comes after US envoy Richard Verma visited what it calls the “disputed region” of Arunachal Pradesh.

China on Monday warned the US that any interference by it in the Sino-India boundary dispute will make it “more complicated” and “disturb” hard-won peace at the border, days after the US envoy to India visited Arunachal Pradesh. Beijing claims the state is “southern Tibet”.

Asking the US to desist from interfering in the India-China border dispute, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a media briefing that China is firmly opposed to the visit.

Referring to US envoy Richard Verma’s October 22 tour of Tawang at the invitation of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Lu said that the US envoy visited a “disputed region”.

“We have also noted that the place visited by a senior US diplomatic official is a disputed region between China and India. We are firmly opposed to his visit,” he said.

“Disputed Region”

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet and routinely protests visits by Indian leaders, foreign officials as well as the Dalai Lama to the area.

“China's position on eastern section of the China-India boundary is very clear and consistent. The two countries are now trying to resolve territorial disputes through negotiations and consultations,” Lu said referring to the special representatives mechanism headed by National Security Advisors of both countries to find a solution.

Both sides held the 19th round of special representatives' talks to resolve the disputes over the 3,488 km Line of Actual Control (LAC).

While China claims Arunachal Pradesh as Southern Tibet. India asserts that the dispute covers Aksai Chin area which was occupied by China during the 1962 war.

Lu said “any third party with a sense of responsibility should respect efforts made by China and India for peace reconciliation  and tranquility rather than the opposite”, he said.

“Safeguarding the Interests”

The behaviour by the US contrasts with the efforts made by China and India, he said.

“It will only make the dispute more complicated, disturb the hard-won peace and tranquility of border areas and sabotage peaceful development of the region,” Lu said.

We urge the US to stop its interference in the boundary issue between China and India and make more contribution to regional peace and stability.

Lu Kang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman

The boundary question between China and India is very complex and sensitive, he said, adding that “the interference by a third party will only stir up or heighten tensions”.

“At the end of the day only the peoples of the two countries will suffer,” he said.

“We believe India and China as two major countries have enough wisdom to properly deal with this issue and safeguard the fundamental interest of the two peoples,” Lu said.

“Nothing Unusual about It,” Says India

Rebuffing China for objecting to US ambassador Richard Verma's recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh, India said there was "nothing unusual" about his trip to a state which is an integral part of the country.

"The US ambassador visited Arunachal Pradesh, a state which is an integral part of the country to which he is accredited. There is nothing unusual in it," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.