Arunachal integral a part of India: US lawmakers introduce invoice condemning China’s aggression

Two US lawmakers have joined fingers to introduce a bipartisan invoice reaffirming Arunachal Pradesh as an integral a part of India.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 17, 2023 10:57 IST

This decision is in response to the latest conflict between India and China alongside the Line of Actual Control within the Eastern Sector, which has been probably the most vital battle in six years. (File photograph)

By India Today Web Desk: Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley from Oregon and Republican Senator Bill Hagerty from Tennessee collaborated on a Senate decision which affirms the United States’ recognition of Arunachal Pradesh, an Indian state, as an integral a part of the Republic of India.

This decision is in response to the latest conflict between India and China alongside the Line of Actual Control within the Eastern Sector, which has been probably the most vital battle in six years.

“America’s values supporting freedom and a rules-based order must be at the center of all of our actions and relationships around the world, especially as the People’s Republic of China (PRC) government pushes an alternative vision,” Senator Merkley, who serves because the Co-Chair of the Congressional Executive Commission on China, was quoted as saying by information company ANI.

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“This resolution makes clear that the United States views the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of the Republic of India—not the People’s Republic of China—and commits the US to deepening support and assistance to the region, alongside like-minded international partners and donors.”

“At a time when China continues to pose grave and gathering threats to the Free and Open Indo-Pacific, it’s critical for the United States to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our strategic partners in the region—especially India,” mentioned Senator Hagerty.

“This bipartisan resolution expresses the Senate’s support for unequivocally recognizing the state of Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India, condemning China’s military aggression to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control, and further enhancing the U.S.-India strategic partnership and the Quad in support of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”

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The bipartisan decision launched by Senators Jeff Merkley and Bill Hagerty reiterates the United States’ recognition of the McMahon Line because the worldwide boundary between the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and the People’s Republic of China.

The decision opposes the PRC’s territorial claims to Arunachal Pradesh and criticises their aggressive insurance policies, together with their use of army drive to vary the established order alongside the Line of Actual Control and building of villages in contested areas. Additionally, the decision praises the Government of India for taking measures to defend itself in opposition to safety threats from China, comparable to securing telecommunications infrastructure and implementing funding screening requirements.

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The decision goals to strengthen the US-India partnership in protection, know-how, economics, and people-to-people ties. It additionally promotes elevated multilateral cooperation with India by means of numerous worldwide fora, together with the Quad, the East Asia Summit, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Senator John Cornyn is a co-sponsor of the decision.

Published On:

Feb 17, 2023