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Antony terms China’s reaction to Arunachal visit objectionable
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 27
Defence Minister AK Antony today reacted sharply to China’s “objections” to his visit to Arunachal Pradesh last week.

“Statements made by China are objectionable. Arunachal Pradesh is a part of India like Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeast and any other state of India. As Defence Minister I can visit any place within my country,” he said on the sidelines of a seminar here today.

China claims a large part of Arunachal as its territory, which is disputed by India. The two nations have a boundary dispute, a legacy of the British days. Antony expressed surprise over China’s reaction and termed it “highly objectionable”, adding that Beijing had “no right” to interfere in India’s domestic affairs.

China had reacted sharply to Antony's visit to Arunachal Pradesh to take part in its 25th Statehood Day celebrations and said that India should refrain from taking any action that could "complicate" the border issue.

New Delhi said it took this matter seriously, asserting that Beijing had no right to interfere in its domestic affairs. External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said Arunachal was a “part and parcel” of India. "India will not tolerate external interference of China in Indian territorial affairs," he said.