New Delhi: Hitting out at China, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that the Union territories of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir have been and would remain an integral part of India. China has no locus standi to comment on India’s internal matters.
While addressing a virtual media briefing, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, “China has no locus standi comment on India’s internal matters days after Beijing remarked that “does not recognise the UT of Ladakh, illegally set up by India”.
“The Union Territories of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir have been and would remain an integral part of India”, he added.
Rejecting China’s repeated claim on Arunachal Pradesh, the MEA official said, “The northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh have been, are and would always remain an “integral part of India”.
“We hope countries will not comment on India’s internal matters as much as they expect the same from others”, the MEA spokesperson said.
“Our position on Arunachal Pradesh has also been made clear several times. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India. This fact has also been conveyed to the Chinese side on several occasions, including at the highest level”, he added.
Commenting on China’s remarks over border infrastructure, MEA said that the government is focussed on creating an infrastructure for improving livelihood, economic welfare of people, Govt gives specific attention to the development of border areas for economic development and to meet India’s security, strategic requirements.
The remarks from the External Affairs Minister came after China accused India of ramping up infrastructure development along the border causing tension between two countries.
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It is pertinent to note that after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated several new bridges in certain border areas on Monday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said China does not recognise the Ladakh union territory “illegally set up” by India as well as Arunachal Pradesh.
Moreover, on the border standoff in eastern Ladakh and the outcome of the bilateral military talks, Srivastava referred to a joint press statement issued by the two armies after their dialogue on October 12, calling the meeting “positive and constructive”.
“Disengagement is a complex process that requires redeployment of troops by each side towards their regular posts on their respective sides of the LAC”, Srivastava said.
Shifting his focus to Pakistan, Anurag Srivastava also categorically denied the claim made by Pakistan PM’s National Security Advisor that India sent a message with desire for talks.
“We have seen reports on the interview of senior Pakistani official to an India media outlets and he commented on India’s internal matters. As always, this is Pakistan’s efforts to divert attention from domestic failures and misled its domestic constituents by pulling India into headlines”, he said.
“The official is advised to restrict he advise to his establishment and to not comment on India’s domestic policies. His statements are contrary to facts, misleading and fictitious. About the purported message that was referred to, no such message was sent from our side”, the MEA stated.
The ministry also informed that India will be delivering a kilo class submarine INS Sindhuvir to Myanmar Navy. This will be the first submarine of Myanmar Navy.
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