Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh has reignited tensions between India and China, with Beijing expressing strong objection to the Indian leader's presence in the disputed region. Modi's trip to inaugurate the 'Sela Tunnel' at an altitude of 13,000 feet above sea level has sparked fury from China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory.

The longstanding territorial dispute between India and China over Arunachal Pradesh has been a source of contention, with Beijing asserting its claim over the Indian state and even assigning its own names to various areas within it. The recent visit by Modi has once again brought this contentious issue to the forefront, as reported by the Indian news media Hindustan Times on Tuesday (March 12).

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially protested against Modi's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, reiterating its stance that the region is part of southern Tibet, which China claims as its own. The Chinese government has consistently rejected India's sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh, emphasizing that the disputed border remains unresolved. China views India's development activities in the area as provocative and detrimental to efforts to address the border dispute.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin condemned Modi's visit, asserting that India has no right to undertake development projects in what China considers its sovereign territory. China has expressed strong displeasure with Modi's actions in Arunachal Pradesh, warning that such activities will only exacerbate tensions along the border.

In response, India's Ministry of External Affairs has defended Modi's visit, dismissing China's objections as unfounded and unreasonable. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaswal reaffirmed India's sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh, emphasizing that the region is an integral part of India. Jaswal argued that Indian leaders have the right to visit Arunachal Pradesh just as they do other parts of the country, rejecting China's attempts to interfere in India's internal affairs.

The inauguration of the 'Sela Tunnel' in Arunachal Pradesh, touted as the world's largest two-lane tunnel, underscores India's commitment to enhancing infrastructure and military capabilities in the region. The tunnel is expected to facilitate easier deployment of Indian troops and equipment along the border with China, further heightening tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.