Beijing, Nov. 20 (TNS): China on Monday strongly objected to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to disputed region of Arunachal Pradesh, saying India should refrain from “complicating” the border dispute when bilateral relations are at a “crucial moment”.
Indian President Kovind visited Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday.
“The Chinese government never acknowledged the so-called Arunachal Pradesh and our position on the border issue is consistent and clear,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told the media when asked about Kovind’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as Southern Tibet.
China routinely objects to any senior Indian officials’ visit to the region.
“China firmly opposes the Indian leader’s relevant activities in the relevant region when China-India relations are at a crucial moment,” he said.
“We hope India could work in the same direction and maintain general picture of bilateral ties and refrain from complicating border issue and work to create favourable conditions for border negotiations and for the sound and stable development of bilateral ties,” he said.
