China protests over Indian president’s trip to contested border area
Kovind draws fire from Beijing over inauguration of state assembly building in Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as southern Tibet
China has criticised a visit by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind to the remote state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims, saying China opposed any activities by Indian leaders in disputed areas.
The latest row over Arunachal Pradesh suggests the Asian giants remain far apart, despite recent attempts to defuse tension over a region that China claims as southern Tibet.
The Indian president went over the weekend, inaugurating a new state assembly building.
In a speech to the assembly, Kovind said that for India, the state was where the sun first rose – being its easternmost region – each day, and from here light was spread across the country.
He also remarked on several steps taken by the federal government to advance the state’s transport links.