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Afghanistan/South Asia
Arunachal upset over China claim that it is disputed
2005-04-06
ITANAGAR — The Arunachal Pradesh state government yesterday reacted sharply to China's claims that the region was a 'disputed area', saying that it was erroneous and the state was an integral part of India. Chinese ambassador Sun Yuxi had Friday raked up a controversy ahead of the landmark visit by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao by saying that the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh was still 'a disputed area' between the two countries.
"What's ours is ours, now let's negotiate about what's yours."
"China's claims and the statement made by its ambassador to India are erroneous to say the least. There is no dispute whatsoever and Arunachal Pradesh is very much an integral part of India," said Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Jarbom Gamlin. "We have lodged a formal protest with the Indian foreign ministry over the Chinese ambassador's statement," Gamlin said. "The people of Arunachal Pradesh do whatever is required to protect and preserve its territorial integrity," he added.
That worked well last time, but this time could be different ...
Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who is visiting the border with China along Arunachal Pradesh yesterday, told journalists here: "I would not like to comment on the Chinese ambassador's statement." Beijing had in 2003 gave up its territorial claim over the Indian state of Sikkim, but was still holding on to its age-old stand that a vast stretch of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to them.
'cause it belonged to China in the 11th Century or something. They have a memory for this sort of thing that rivals Islam ...
The mountainous state of Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,030km unfenced border with China. The Sino-India border along Arunachal Pradesh is separated by the McMahon Line, an imaginary border which is now known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). India and China fought a bitter border war in 1962, with Chinese troops advancing deep into Arunachal Pradesh and inflicting heavy casualties on federal troops.
And someday they'll come for the rest.
Posted by:Steve White

#8  Sikkim, the Himalayan kingdom annexed by New Delhi in 1975...

In 1947, after the British withdrew from India, a special treaty was signed with the Indian Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru giving Sikkim special status. In 1955, democratic progress brought about the institution of the Sikkim Council as a legislative body, under the 1955 Constitution, consisting of a President nominated and appointed by the ruler and Councillors. The Crown Prince travelled to New York in 1960, met and married a rich American, Hope Cooke. The wedding was performed in Gangtok according to Strict Buddhist rites. The old ruler Tashi Namgyal died in 1963 and the Crown Prince Palden Namgyal ascended the throne in 1964 who also died of cancer on 30th, Jan 1982 in America. Troubles arose in 1973, that had been brewing a year earlier, when the Sikkim National Congress demanded fresh elections and more representation for the Nepalese. Riots in front of the palace led to a request to India for protection, and the election of Kazi Lendup Dorji never popular with the Chogyal. An attempt was made by the Chogyal to block the meeting of the Legislature. The Kazi was elected by the Council of Ministers which was unanimous in its opposition to the retention of the Monarchy. Matter came to a head in 1975 when the Kazi appealed to the Indian Parliament for representation and change of status to statehood. The Kazi was elected the Chief Minister, ruling with the aid of cabinet. During the 1977 elections, to the Lok Sabha unopposed on the Congress ticket, the Kazi, later, after the change in the Government of India, joined the Janata Party.

Sikkim Source for Above




Posted by: BigEd   2005-04-06 2:37:59 PM  

#7  Rightwing, I found this tidbit:
Wen's trip follows a visit last year to China by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose party is no longer in power. During that visit India was able to get China to concede, though implicitly, that Sikkim, the Himalayan kingdom annexed by New Delhi in 1975, was part of India. Chinese maps show the northeastern state as an independent country.
Posted by: Steve   2005-04-06 10:00:27 AM  

#6  Any info on China's claim to Sikkim? Not aware of there ever being a claim. The 1962 Border War was over Arunachal. Anybody?
Posted by: Rightwing   2005-04-06 8:19:24 AM  

#5  What the hell is it with China and "disputed areas"? All your lands are belong to us!
They should chill out and worry about managing what they've got.
Posted by: Spot   2005-04-06 8:17:51 AM  

#4  Is this akin to a passing dog who used to live in the neighborhood and, in a fit of nostaligia, pisses on its favorite bushes, as in days of very fucking yore?
Posted by: .com   2005-04-06 5:31:50 AM  

#3  I'd say Tibet is disputed as hell.
Ask the Tibetians
Posted by: True German Ally   2005-04-06 1:55:29 AM  

#2  SW: They have a memory for this sort of thing that rivals Islam

Actually, Islam has a memory for this sort of thing that rivals China, since China predates Islam by about a thousand years.
Posted by: Zhang Fei   2005-04-06 1:27:36 AM  

#1  This issue can wait until China has a legitimate government.
Posted by: Grunter   2005-04-06 1:13:18 AM  

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