Tensions between India and China have flared once again following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh, where he inaugurated the newly constructed Sela Tunnel.
China, reasserting its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, has lodged a diplomatic protest from Beijing condemning India’s actions, stating that such moves would only complicate the ongoing boundary disputes between the two nations, a national news agency reported..
Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, reiterated China’s stance, highlighting that the Zangnan area, which includes Arunachal Pradesh, is Chinese territory.
Furthermore, Wang Wenbin reiterated that China does not recognise the “so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India”, adding that the “unresolved boundary issue does not grant India the authority to unilaterally develop the Zangnan area”.
The Chinese government strongly objected to Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the eastern section of the China-India boundary, underscoring the sensitive nature of territorial disputes between the two countries.
Prime Minister Modi’s unveiling of the Sela Tunnel on Saturday marked a significant milestone in India’s infrastructure development endeavours.
The tunnel, recognised as the longest twin-lane tunnel globally, holds strategic importance by ensuring year-round access to Tawang and other critical areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) bordering China.
Costing Rs 825 crore, the Sela Tunnel comprises two tunnels totalling approximately 12 km in length, along with 8 km of access roads.
One tunnel spans 980 meters with two lanes, while the other extends 1.5 km and serves as an emergency route.
Its year-round accessibility is particularly crucial for regions near the border with China, such as Tawang.
The completion of the Sela Tunnel is anticipated to bolster connectivity, enhance tourism prospects, and improve safety in the Northeast.
However, China’s diplomatic protest underscores the persisting tensions and complexities surrounding territorial disputes between the two Asian giants.
