China’s Foreign Ministry responded assertively on Wednesday to India’s plans to accelerate hydropower projects in the region it refers to as South Tibet, emphasizing that the area belongs to China and asserting that India has no right to carry out development there.
This statement comes in response to a report detailing India’s intention to invest $1 billion to expedite the construction of 12 hydropower stations in Arunachal Pradesh, a northeastern Indian state that China claims as part of southern Tibet.
According to China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, South Tibet is indisputably Chinese territory, and any Indian activities there, including the establishment of Arunachal Pradesh, are deemed illegal and invalid by China.
This stance underscores the ongoing territorial dispute between the two countries, where India asserts Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of its sovereign territory, while China maintains historical claims over the region.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not yet responded to China’s latest statement. However, recent diplomatic engagements between Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during their meeting in Kazakhstan last week aimed to intensify efforts in resolving border issues, including those related to disputed territories.
The dispute over Arunachal Pradesh/South Tibet remains a longstanding and sensitive issue in India-China relations, periodically escalating tensions between the two Asian giants. Efforts to manage and mitigate these tensions through diplomatic channels have been ongoing, with occasional meetings and agreements to address border disputes and enhance bilateral cooperation.
Despite diplomatic efforts, finding a lasting resolution to the territorial disputes and managing development activities in contested border regions like Arunachal Pradesh/South Tibet remains a complex challenge influenced by historical grievances and geopolitical considerations. Both countries continue to navigate these issues cautiously, mindful of their implications for regional stability and broader international relations.
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