Political parties take exception to China's stance on PM visit

Itanagar, Feb 23: Political parties in Arunachal Pradesh have taken exception to China objecting to the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the state on February 20 to attend the 29th Statehood Day celebration. China had opposed the visit of the PM to the bordering state which they termed as 'disputed territory'.

Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Padi Richo today said that Beijing had forgotten that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. "It is a fashion of China to object when President or Prime Minister visit our state," Richo said.

The state BJP unit also assailed Beijing for objecting to the PM's visit saying that under any circumstance the neighbouring country cannot oppose the visit of any central leaders to the state.

"We are very happy and proud to be Indian and there is no ambiguity in our status," BJP state president Tai Tagak said. "A state delegation will visit Delhi soon to take up the issue," Tagak said reiterating his party's stand on the issue. "China should give up its expansionist policy because the world of today does not accept it", Tagak said. Meanwhile, Arunachal Civil Society (ACS) has also criticised China for its objection to Modi's visit to the state.

"China has no right to object in the internal affairs of India or term Arunachal Pradesh as disputed zone. The state is the part and parcel of India since time immortal," ACS chairman Patey Tayum said in a statement. "Such attitude of China is not new as in 2008 when the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited, they showed the same resentment and claimed Arunachal Pradesh as disputed land besides Southern Tibet," he added.

Chinese vice-foreign minister Liu Zhenmin on Saturday summoned India's ambassador to China, Ashok K Kantha to lodge a protest over Modi's visit to the state. Modi during his visit flagged off two trains including an AC Express train from Naharlagun to New Delhi and an inter-city express between Naharlagun and Guwahati besides inaugurating the Itanagar Water Supply project and laying foundation of the 132 KV power transmission project.

PTI