India's Firm Stance on Arunachal Pradesh
The Indian government has issued a strong rebuttal to China, firmly reiterating that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India. This declaration from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came as a direct response to Beijing reiterating its claim over the northeastern Indian state. The diplomatic exchange was triggered by the controversial detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai airport.
The Shanghai Airport Incident
The controversy erupted when an Indian woman, holding a valid Indian passport, was detained while transiting through Shanghai International Airport on her way to Japan. In a statement released on Tuesday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that India has taken up the issue of the detention strongly with the Chinese side.
Jaiswal pointed out that the Chinese authorities have been unable to explain their actions, which he stated are in clear violation of several conventions governing international air travel. He further emphasized that the action also breached China's own regulations that permit visa-free transit for up to 24 hours for nationals of all countries.
Conflicting Narratives from Beijing and New Delhi
The Chinese foreign ministry presented a contrasting account of the events, denying that the woman was ever detained or harassed. A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry stated that border checks on people entering and exiting a country are standard practice for border enforcement authorities worldwide.
In a statement that directly challenged India's position, the Chinese spokesperson asserted, "Zangnan is China's territory. The Chinese side has never recognized the so-called 'Arunachal Pradesh' illegally set up by India." Beijing maintained that its border inspection authorities acted in accordance with laws and regulations, describing the law enforcement as impartial and non-abusive.
According to Chinese authorities, the airline provided resting facilities and meals to the woman during her transit. However, India's protest highlighted that the passenger was detained on ludicrous grounds, stressing that Arunachal Pradesh is Indian territory and its residents are perfectly entitled to hold Indian passports.
Broader Diplomatic Implications
This incident occurs at a sensitive time when both nations have been working towards restoring normalcy in their bilateral relations. The Indian government emphasized that actions like this introduce unnecessary obstructions to the peace process.
The MEA's statement left no room for ambiguity, declaring that "no amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality" of Arunachal Pradesh being part of India. This firm position underscores New Delhi's determination to stand its ground on territorial sovereignty while navigating the complex dynamics of India-China relations.
