NEW DELHI, March 11 � India on Wednesday confirmed that China has raised the matter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi�s recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh, reiterating that the Northeastern State is an integral and inalienable part of the country.
China has raised the matter of PM�s visit to Arunachal Pradesh with the Government. Chinese side took up this matter on February 20 and February 21 with the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi and in Beijing, respectively, revealed Minister of State for External Affairs, General (retd) VK Singh in a Lok Sabha reply.
Beijing disputes the international boundary between India and China. In Eastern sector, China claims approximately 90,000 sq km of Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh, he informed.
Indian leaders visit Arunachal Pradesh from time to time, as they visit other parts of India. This has been conveyed to the Chinese side on several occasions including at the highest level. This was reiterated to the Chinese last month, he added.
Meanwhile, in reply to a separate question, Singh said that India and China have signed the Agreement on the establishment of Direct Secure Telephone Link between Prime Minister of India and Chinese Premier. The two sides are in close communication to operationalise the hotline, said the Minister.
