Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has expressed his displeasure over China's criticism to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, reports said.
Taking strong exception to China's stand, the Gandhi scion said, 'Arunchal is an integral and important part of India.'
'Arunachal Pradesh is an Indian state, Tamil Nadu is an Indian state, Jharkhand is an Indian state. My attitude towards all the states is the same and it will not be changed. For me Arunachal Pradesh is like any other state. It does not make any difference,' he told reporters in Ranchi on Thursday.
Singh this month visited Arunachal Pradesh to campaign for his Congress party ahead of Tuesday's state assembly polls.
On the poll day (Tuesday), China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu made a statement on 'an Indian leader's visit' to the disputed east section area of China-India boundary.
Ma Zhaoxu stated that China-India border has never been officially demarcated.
'The Chinese Government's position on the disputed area has been consistent and clear. China expresses its strong dissatisfaction on the visit by the Indian leader to the disputed area in disregard of China's grave concerns,' the spokesperson said.
Reacting to China's comment, in an official response, India's foreign ministry said: 'The State of Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India. The people of Arunachal Pradesh are citizens of India, and they are proud participants in the mainstream of India's vibrant democracy.'
Taking strong exception to China's stand, the Gandhi scion said, 'Arunchal is an integral and important part of India.'
'Arunachal Pradesh is an Indian state, Tamil Nadu is an Indian state, Jharkhand is an Indian state. My attitude towards all the states is the same and it will not be changed. For me Arunachal Pradesh is like any other state. It does not make any difference,' he told reporters in Ranchi on Thursday.
Singh this month visited Arunachal Pradesh to campaign for his Congress party ahead of Tuesday's state assembly polls.
On the poll day (Tuesday), China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu made a statement on 'an Indian leader's visit' to the disputed east section area of China-India boundary.
Ma Zhaoxu stated that China-India border has never been officially demarcated.
'The Chinese Government's position on the disputed area has been consistent and clear. China expresses its strong dissatisfaction on the visit by the Indian leader to the disputed area in disregard of China's grave concerns,' the spokesperson said.
Reacting to China's comment, in an official response, India's foreign ministry said: 'The State of Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India. The people of Arunachal Pradesh are citizens of India, and they are proud participants in the mainstream of India's vibrant democracy.'
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