China lodges protest over PM Modi’s Arunachal Pradesh visit, Sela Tunnel inauguration

ITANAGAR: China has lodged a diplomatic protest with India following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh, where he inaugurated the newly-built Sela Tunnel.

Reiterating its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, China expressed concerns that India's actions would further complicate boundary issues.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, addressing the media, asserted that the “Zangnan area belongs to China and that China does not recognize Arunachal Pradesh, which is illegally established by India”.

Wang stated, “Relevant moves by India only complicate the boundary question. China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to the leader’s visit to the eastern section of the China-India boundary. We have made solemn representations to India.”

China's objections come in response to PM Modi's inauguration of the Sela Tunnel, situated at an altitude of 13,000 ft in Arunachal Pradesh, aimed at providing all-weather connectivity to strategically significant Tawang.

The tunnel, constructed at a cost of Rs 825 crore, is touted as the longest bi-lane road tunnel at such a high altitude and is expected to facilitate better troop movement along the frontier region.

Military officials highlight that the Sela Tunnel will enhance the movement of troops and weaponry to various forward locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, referring to the region as Zangnan.

It has consistently objected to visits by Indian leaders to the area, asserting its claims.

However, India has firmly rejected China's assertions, maintaining that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country, and has dismissed China's ‘invented’ names for the region, emphasizing the reality of its sovereignty.