Arunachal is non-negotiable with China, asserts BJP

New Delhi, Dec 13 (UNI) Asserting that China's claim on Arunachal Pradesh territory was non-negotiable, the BJP today took strong exception to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's statement that ''some adjustments will take place here and there'' on Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir at the conclusion of the ongoing talks with China and Pakistan respectively.

The party said it was a matter of serious concern that Mr Mukherjee through his statement had admitted that both Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir were disputed territories.

BJP Parliamentary Party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said that the party stood by the unanimous resolutions passed by Parliament that the two states were integral parts of India and no negotiations could be held on the issue with China and Pakistan.

India, he said, continue to demand return of about 40,000 sq km of Arunachal Pradesh illegally occupied by China. Similarly, ''We must get back the Pak-occupied Kashmir area.'' Mr Mukherjee, while responding to Leader of the Opposition L K Advani's objection to Chinese Ambassador Sun Yuxi's claims that the whole of Arunachal Pradesh belonged to China and this was the subject of negotiations between the special representatives of the two countries, had said, ''It is true that when you discuss the boundary issue, boundary is not in the sky, boundary is on the land, and it belongs to some part of the countries concerned. But whether it is acceptable or not acceptable, that is the issue being discussed by the two special representatives.'' Mr Malhotra said the statement first by the Chinese ambassador and now by Mr Mukherjee would deepen the fear psychosis among the people of Arunachal Pradesh as to which country their territory belonged to.

''We warn the government to keep the question of Arunachal Pradesh out of the composite dialogue with China. Arunachal is non-negotiable as stated by the Speaker,'' he said.

UNI KAS/MCN PK KP1620