China Objects To Indian Defense Minister's Visit To Disputed Border Region

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying objected to Indian Defense Minister's recent visit to the disputed area in the eastern part of the China-India border, stating that it “further complicates the border issues”.

"We believe that the Indian official's visit to the disputed area will further complicate the border issue, and will not be conducive to maintaining peace and tranquility in the relevant region," Hua was quoted as saying by Global Times during a press conference on Monday.

On Sunday, India's Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited forward army posts in remote Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh bordering China to take stock of the defence preparedness.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet and routinely objects to top Indian officials' visit to the state. India has always maintained that Arunachal Pradesh is an "inseparable part of India".

"China has a clear stance on the China-India border and there are some disputes on the eastern section of the China-India border," Hua said.

She added that China hopes India will work with China to create better atmosphere for negotiations, to seek a solution acceptable to both sides and to safeguard the bilateral ties.

A Chinese researcher at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of International Relations, told the Global Times that the visit comes ahead of Indian Prime Minister's next election schedule. "By allowing high-level officials to visit the disputed area, India is provoking China in order to win support for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2019 elections," Hu Zhiyong was quoted as saying.

In April, China slammed India’s decision to host Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in the region, saying it could cause serious damage to relations.