Pranab refutes China's claim, says Arunachal integral part of India

NEW DELHI: Expectedly, India had to give an answer to Chinese ambassador Sun Yuxi’s claim to India territory. The answer came from foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday.

“The whole of Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India,” the minister told reporters after a ceremony in Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan, the proposed new headquarters of his ministry.

No political party in India could let the claim go unchallenged. So, though Sun Yuxi did nothing more than give China’s traditional position, the timing ahead of President Hu Jintao’s visit beginning on Sunday was undiplomatic and has led to unnecessary exchange of words between the two governments. Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, SK Singh, a former foreign secretary has added his bit to muddy the waters at this juncture, “This is an arrogant way of negotiations by China.”

“The ambassador could have been a little more careful, considering an important visit is coming up. His remarks will somehow spoil the ambience ahead of Hu Jintao’s visit. The controversy will also add to the mistrust between India and China. The hardliners in India, both in the government as well as in the strategic and academic circles will get a fresh impetuous,” says Alka Acharya, associate professor in Chinese studies in JNU.

However, both sides are playing down the controversy. Sources in the Chinese embassy in Delhi tried to clarify Yuxi’s statement. “We claim Arunachal as Chinese territory  while India claims Aksai Chin. India and China are committed to resolve the border issue through peaceful negotiations.”