National Desk, 7th October: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has rejected recent reports of a Chinese incursion into Arunachal Pradesh, stating that India maintains a strong patrolling presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the region. During an interactive session in the capital on Saturday, Jaishankar challenged claims suggesting a Chinese incursion dating back to 1959, asserting that patrolling patterns in the area have remained consistent over the last decade.
“In fact, the patrolling pattern for the last five to ten years does not exhibit a marked change,” Jaishankar emphasized, reiterating India’s unwavering stance on its territorial sovereignty. He also addressed China’s long-standing claim to Arunachal Pradesh, citing China’s repeated attempts to rename locations in the state, most recently in April, when Beijing issued a list of 30 locations with altered names. India strongly countered this, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh remains an integral part of India, regardless of such actions.
Jaishankar also touched upon the broader need for resilient foreign policy, capable of withstanding political transitions. “Political changes occur in every country, sometimes smoothly and at other times disruptively,” he said, emphasizing the significance of strong international relations in maintaining stability and safeguarding national interests.
The External Affairs Minister is set to lead an Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad on October 15-16, marking the first high-level visit by an Indian official to Pakistan in nearly a decade.