China opposes India’s patrolling in Arunachal Pradesh, Indian Army gives a hard-hitting reply

Kibithu: Claiming Arunachal Pradesh to be a part of China, China protested patrolling by the Indian Army in parts of Arunachal Pradesh. China raised this issue in the meeting of the Indian and Chinese army officials at the border and lodged the protest. But India has deflated the Chinese claim with a fitting reply. The Indian officials firmly said that Arunachal Pradesh is an Indian territory and the Indian Army has all the rights to patrol here. Therefore, it is apparent that China is once again digging up the border dispute with India.

High ranking Indian and Chinese army officials deputed at the border held discussions on the 15^th of March. These talks were held under the ‘Border Personal Meeting’ initiative. The Indian Army officers visited a Chinese post near the border. The Chinese officials alleged that the Indian Army had conducted large scale patrolling at Asaphila in Arunachal Pradesh. The Chinese officials lodged their protest saying that patrolling by such a large number of Indian soldiers in this highly sensitive region, amounts to intrusion into Chinese territory.

The Indian officials replied immediately to the Chinese protest. First of all, the Indian officials objected to the allegation of so called intrusion by the Indian soldiers. This is not an intrusion but patrolling in our own territory, the Indian officials warned their Chinese counterparts. The Indian officials pointed out that the territory till Subansiri in Arunachal Pradesh is Indian territory and the Indian Army consistently patrols this area.

The Indian officials also attracted the attention of the Chinese that the Indian Army conducted large scale patrolling in the Fishtail one region in Asaphila between 21^st and 23^rd December. These Chinese statements about the Arunachal Pradesh border and their objection to the Indian patrolling seems to be an effort to once again dig out the border dispute. In this context, a strong possibility of infiltration by the Chinese soldiers into this region is predicted in the future. But the Indian Army official clarified that the Indian Army is prepared for any eventuality.

At the same time, the Indian Army has increased patrolling in this area in anticipation of the possible Chinese activities. The movements of the Chinese army also are being watched closely. This alertness of the Indian Army has become a headache for the Chinese as their attempts to pressurise the Indian army through intrusion in the Indian territory are being foiled. The Indian Army officers informed that the Indian Army is keeping a keen watch to ensure that these Chinese attempts do not succeed. The army officers also said that there is a sufficient number of soldiers deployed in the area for this purpose.