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AK Antony slams Chinese objection to his visit to Arunachal Pradesh
NEW DELHI: Defence minister AK Antony has criticised China for raising objections to his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, describing Beijing's comments on the issue as "most objectionable".
Antony said Arunachal is an integral part of India as Jammu and Kashmir and as defence minister it was his right and duty to visit the state, which has recently celebrated 25th anniversary of its statehood. "I was surprised to see such a reaction.
I feel it is most unfortunate and, at the same time, it is really objectionable ," he told reporters here. Antony's comments came as China reacted sharply to Antony's visit to Arunchal Pradesh for its statehood celebrations and said India should refrain from taking any action that could "complicate" the border issue. The defence minister said it was his right as defence minister to visit all border states.
"I have been visiting Arunachal since 1984. This time, I was thrilled to visit the state on its silver jubilee of attaining statehood ," he said, adding the state has achieved considerable progress . He said he was happy about the progress of the state and, at the same time, he felt that one has to give full support to it.
China had earlier opposed the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Arunachal Pradesh. China routinely takes exception to any high level visits of Indian officials to Arunachal Pradesh which it claims is a part of Southern Tibet.
It was part of the discussion of the past 15 rounds of border talks by the Special Representatives by the two countries. China also denies visa to people of Arunachal Pradesh as part of its claim to the area.
In a recent case, visa was denied to a senior Indian Air Force officer to visit China as part of defence delegation prompting New Delhi to scale down the size of the delegation. Antony said a secure, non-porous international border was the top-most priority of the Centre .
"Arunachalees have always been known to be fiercely patriotic and yield to none in their love for the motherland," he said. Asked about Pakistan's objection to induction of nuclear submarines by India, he said New Delhi is strengthening its capabilities to protect its security and not for confronting anybody.
Antony said whatever steps have to be taken to ensure country's security in the emerging security scenario, India will take it. Recently, Pakistan Navy chief Admiral Asif Sandilahad had said that induction of nuclear submarines by the Indian Navy was a cause of great concern and his country was taking steps to restore strategic balance in the region.
Defence minister AK Antony slams Chinese objection to his visit to Arunachal Pradesh - The Economic Times
NEW DELHI: Defence minister AK Antony has criticised China for raising objections to his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, describing Beijing's comments on the issue as "most objectionable".
Antony said Arunachal is an integral part of India as Jammu and Kashmir and as defence minister it was his right and duty to visit the state, which has recently celebrated 25th anniversary of its statehood. "I was surprised to see such a reaction.
I feel it is most unfortunate and, at the same time, it is really objectionable ," he told reporters here. Antony's comments came as China reacted sharply to Antony's visit to Arunchal Pradesh for its statehood celebrations and said India should refrain from taking any action that could "complicate" the border issue. The defence minister said it was his right as defence minister to visit all border states.
"I have been visiting Arunachal since 1984. This time, I was thrilled to visit the state on its silver jubilee of attaining statehood ," he said, adding the state has achieved considerable progress . He said he was happy about the progress of the state and, at the same time, he felt that one has to give full support to it.
China had earlier opposed the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Arunachal Pradesh. China routinely takes exception to any high level visits of Indian officials to Arunachal Pradesh which it claims is a part of Southern Tibet.
It was part of the discussion of the past 15 rounds of border talks by the Special Representatives by the two countries. China also denies visa to people of Arunachal Pradesh as part of its claim to the area.
In a recent case, visa was denied to a senior Indian Air Force officer to visit China as part of defence delegation prompting New Delhi to scale down the size of the delegation. Antony said a secure, non-porous international border was the top-most priority of the Centre .
"Arunachalees have always been known to be fiercely patriotic and yield to none in their love for the motherland," he said. Asked about Pakistan's objection to induction of nuclear submarines by India, he said New Delhi is strengthening its capabilities to protect its security and not for confronting anybody.
Antony said whatever steps have to be taken to ensure country's security in the emerging security scenario, India will take it. Recently, Pakistan Navy chief Admiral Asif Sandilahad had said that induction of nuclear submarines by the Indian Navy was a cause of great concern and his country was taking steps to restore strategic balance in the region.
Defence minister AK Antony slams Chinese objection to his visit to Arunachal Pradesh - The Economic Times
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