India
and China fought a brief border war in 1962 over the territory by the eastern
end of the Himalayas. China signed a pact in October to ensure that differences
on their shared border do not spark a dispute.
Modi
Asks China to Shed Its "Expansionist Mindset"
Narendra
Modi, at a rally in Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday, asked China to
shed its "expansionist mindset" expressing his concern about foreign
policy for the first time.
"China
should shed its expansionist policy and forge bilateral ties with India for
peace, progress and prosperity of both the nations," Prime Minister
Narendra Modi said addressing a meeting in Pasighat in his current election
campaign.
"Arunachal
Pradesh is an integral part of India and will always remain so. No power can
snatch it from us. People of Arunachal Pradesh didn't come under pressure or
fear of China," he said.
China Denies Modi's Remarks
China
stated that it had never waged a war to conquer "an inch of the land of
other countries", two days after Modi slammed the country for its
"expansionist mindset".
China's
Foreign Ministry attempted to strike down comments by Narendra Modi after the
Prime Minister asserted that Arunachal Pradesh was an integral part of India.
"You mentioned expansionism by the Chinese side.
I believe all of you can see that China has never waged a war of aggression to occupy an inch of the land of other countries," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said while responding to Mr Modi's remarks. She said that China was committed to developing friendly relations with its neighbors and to settling conflicts through talks.
"There
has never been any armed clashes in border areas over the years. So there is
very strong evidence that we can maintain peace there. This is very good for
the future development of the bilateral relations," she said, highlighting
that there was no significant dispute at Sino-Indian borders after the 1962
war.
"China
should shed its expansionist policy and forge bilateral ties with India for
peace, progress and prosperity of both the nations," Mr Modi said.
Responding to these remarks, Ms Hua said, "our position on the Eastern
sector of the boundary is very consistent and clear cut.
We
would like to develop good neighborliness and friendly relations with our neighbors
and resolve relevant disputes and differences through dialogue and
consultations."
China
claims Arunachal Pradesh as Southern Tibet and it is part of the dispute over
the 4000 km-long Line of Actual Control between the two countries.
Ms
Hua said currently China and India are maintaining good momentum of bilateral
relations. "The two leaders have a degree of agreement on the significance
of growing bilateral relations. We hope to settle the boundary negotiations as
soon as possible," she said.
Asserting
that both India and China are committed to resolving the boundary dispute
through peaceful negotiations, Ms Hua called attention to the Special
Representatives mechanism, headed by National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon
and Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi, which held 17th round of border talks
in New Delhi.
"Positive
progress has been made (at the talks) and both sides spoke very highly of the
positive outcomes of the meeting," she said.
Both
countries are working hard to resolve relevant differences through friendly
discussions and consultations and "this point is beyond any doubt and any
question.
China has proven this with its real
action," Ms Hua said. The boundary issue is sensitive and complicated. It
cannot be solved overnight with few meetings or consultations, she stressed.
"There
is one point that is clear that both China and India have made clear their
resolve that is to carry out relevant negotiations and dialogue to peacefully
resolve disputes, so as to find a mutually acceptable framework. Pending that
both countries will commit to peace and tranquility," Ms Hua said.
"What
is important is that China and India have both expressed many times their
determination and desire to peacefully resolve the dispute. We want to maintain
peace and tranquility in border areas with relevant parties in India," she
added.
Written
by - Anusha Vajha
Edited by - Adrija Saha
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