China objects to Prez Kovind’s visit to Arunachal, says India shouldn’t ‘complicate’ border dispute

China today strongly objected to President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, saying India should refrain from “complicating” the border dispute when bilateral relations are at a “crucial moment”.
President Kovind visited Arunachal Pradesh yesterday.

“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 area. India has dismissed Beijing’s objections, maintaining that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country and Indian leaders are as much free to visit the state as they are to any other part of the country.

Both countries are “in the process of settling this issue through negotiation and consultation and seek to reach to a fair and reasonable solution acceptable to all”, Lu said. Pending final settlement all parties should work for peace and tranquillity, he said. “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 …read more