Chinese President should declare Arunachal as Indian territory

New Delhi, Nov 20 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party today demanded that Chinese President Hu Jintao clear the controversy raked up by their Ambassador to India Sun Yuxi and declare that China accepts Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India.

Talking to newspersons at BJP headquarters were party MP from Arunachal Pradesh and national secretary Tapir Gao said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should ask the Chinese President that during his four- day visit to India, he should declare that China had nothing to do with Arunachal Pradesh which is ''an integral part of India." Mr Gao said the statement of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee condemning the recent statement by the Chinese Ambassador that Arunachal Pradesh is a disputed territory between the two countries, was not sufficient and the Government must impress upon Mr Hu to clear his country's stand on the issue.

The BJP MP said China should also rectify the maps showing Arunachal Pradesh as disputed territory.

While describing the Chinese Ambassador's claim on Arunachal Pradesh as absurd, Mr Gao said "Arunachal is part and parcel of India culturally and linguistically." He recalled how the controversy over Sikkim was resolved during the NDA regime when the Chinese Premier had categorically announced during his visit to India in April 2005 recognising Sikkim as an integral part of India. Similarly, Mr Hu should categorically deny the statement of their ambassador on Arunachal Pradesh, Mr Gao added.

UNI KAS PA HT1710