WASHINGTON (Diya TV) —The United States firmly sided with India in its territorial dispute with China over Arunachal Pradesh, asserting its recognition of the region as Indian territory. This declaration follows a recent spat between New Delhi and Beijing sparked by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the northeastern state.
In a statement, Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US Department of State, expressed opposition to any unilateral attempts by China to advance territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), emphasizing the US stance on Arunachal Pradesh.
The move by the US signals its support for India amid escalating tensions between the two Asian giants, who have been locked in a border dispute spanning over 3,500 kilometers. China, which refers to the territory as Zangnan, asserts its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, contending it as part of southern Tibet. However, India rejects these claims, maintaining that Arunachal Pradesh has always been an integral part of its territory.
The US State Department’s intervention underscores its alignment with India in its competition with China, according to Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert at the Wilson Center. While the US typically refrains from commenting on certain Indian border disputes, its support for India in this instance reflects a strategic effort to stand against Chinese aggression and strengthen ties with New Delhi.
The dispute reignited following PM Modi’s inauguration of the Sela Tunnel, the world’s longest bi-lane tunnel located at an altitude above 13,000 feet in Arunachal Pradesh. This move triggered sharp responses from Chinese officials, who reiterated their claim over the region.
India-China border tensions have intensified in recent years, culminating in a deadly clash in 2020 and subsequent incidents of skirmishes and incursions. Despite China’s persistent objections and attempts to assert control, India remains steadfast in its assertion of sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh.
China’s defense ministry reaffirmed its territorial claim over Arunachal Pradesh, prompting a swift response from India’s foreign ministry, which dismissed the claims as baseless and reaffirmed the state’s importance within India.
