China has vehemently condemned India’s plans to expedite hydropower projects in the northeastern Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as part of its territory, known as South Tibet. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that India has no right to carry out development activities in the region, declaring the establishment of Arunachal Pradesh as an illegal and invalid entity. India has consistently maintained that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of its territory, rejecting China’s claims.
The dispute over the border region, known as the McMahon Line, has been a longstanding source of friction between the two Asian giants. India’s recent announcement of $1 billion investment in hydropower projects has exacerbated tensions, prompting a strong response from China. Last week, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, met in Kazakhstan, where they agreed to intensify efforts to resolve border issues. However, the latest statement from China underscores the challenges in reaching a consensus on the territorial dispute.