US diplomat flares up Arunachal Pradesh border dispute issue

Recently, a US diplomat on a visit to India stated that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. This greatly annoyed the Chinese who have taken exception to the recent comments. Although this is seen as a positive to India as the Americans have acknowledged what the Indians have always stated. The Chinese however are furious at the comments and deem them to be very irresponsible on the part of the Americans.

Tensions seem to be running high especially since the Chinese view this statement as outside interference from a country who has no relevance to the Arunachal Pradesh region. The Line of Actual Control (LAC) covers the 3,488 km-long border. China claims that the boundary dispute is confined to 2,000 kms, mainly in Arunachal Pradesh in eastern sector which it claims as part of southern Tibet, India asserts that the dispute covered the whole of the LAC including the Aksai Chin occupied by China during the 1962 Indo-Sino war.

Even though there is validation for India, the two countries must ensure to maintain peace in the region. There were recently concluded talks between Special representatives from India represented by Ajit Doval and Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi which have helped ease the issue of Arunachal Pradesh, but with the Americans commenting on the issue, tensions will only flare up again.

India and China seem to be committed to solving the issue bilaterally but with the US maybe intentionally or unintentionally putting fuel on the fire, India must remain smart about the issue and not see the validation as a victory but stay on route to resolve the dispute through negotiations.

By Jessica Passah

images: internet