Arunachal Pradesh is part of India, says United States
Brussels: The European Union has reiterated its concerns about the dire human rights situation in Tibet, spotlighting the forced assimilation of Tibetan children in Chinese state-run boarding schools and mass collection of DNA samples of Tibetans during the ongoing 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
In another important development, the United States rejected China’s “unilateral attempts” to claim over Arunachal Pradesh, weighing in on a spat between New Delhi and Beijing after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a ‘Sela’ tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh.
It is the latest in an escalating dispute between neighboring India and China, which share a 3,500 kilometer border.
China, which refers to the territory as Zangnan, claims Arunachal Pradesh is part of southern Tibet. India rejects those claims, stating Arunachal Pradesh has always been a part of India.
On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department weighed in on the matter.
“The United States recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control,” spokesperson Vedant Patel said.
In Brussels, the EU at UNHRC urged China to abide by its obligations under national law, including its own Constitution, and international law, to respect, protect and fulfill human rights for all, including Tibetans.
Additionally, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to closely monitoring the situation and called for the immediate and unconditional release of Chadrel Rinpoche, Anye Sengdra, Go Sherab Gyatso, Golog Palden, Tashi Dorje, Zangkar Jamyang and Semkyi Dolma among others.
Welcoming the EU’s statement expressing concern on the dire situation in Tibet, Representative Genkhang of the Office of Tibet, Brussels, expressed gratitude for adding Golog Palden, Semkyi Dolma, Zangkar Jamyang and especially Chadrel Rinpoche to the list of individual cases for the first time and calling for their immediate release.
