Beijing, In a pointed critique, Chinese analysts have dismissed statements by India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar concerning the region of Arunachal Pradesh, referring to it as Zangnan, a territory China claims. The analysts argue that Jaishankar’s comments represent a significant oversight of historical context and accuse the Indian government of leveraging territorial disputes for political gain, particularly to bolster Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reelection efforts.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the dispute intensified following Jaishankar’s lecture at the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) of the National University in Singapore, where he labeled China’s territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh as “ludicrous.” Jaishankar’s assertion that the region is an integral part of India marked his first public response to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Ministry of National Defense’s opposition to Indian leaders’ visit to the region earlier in March.

Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Institute of International Relations of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, criticized Jaishankar’s stance, accusing the Indian government of using the territorial issue to appeal to domestic nationalist sentiments. Hu emphasized the necessity for China to maintain military readiness and showcase resolve to ensure that India refrains from taking any imprudent actions.

Furthermore, Hu highlighted the role of the United States in exacerbating the border dispute between China and India, suggesting that US actions have complicated efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution. The analyst condemned the Indian government’s strategy as an attempt to manipulate public perception, seeking international sympathy and attempting to diminish China’s global standing while enhancing India’s.

This ongoing dispute underscores the intricate and tense nature of China-India relations, with both nations holding firm to their territorial claims and interpretations of historical boundaries.