GUWAHATI: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu on Sunday rubbished China’s claim over Tawang vis-a-vis the entire State.
Talking to the media soon after his swearing-in as Chief Minister for the second consecutive term, Khandu insisted that there should be no ambiguity that Arunachal is an integral part of India. He dubbed China’s repeated claims over its territories as ‘absurd’.
“Arunachal is probably the only State in the North-East where Hindi is used as the link language among various tribes,” he pointed out.
Apparently unperturbed by China’s objections to the Dalai Lama’s proposed visit on November 8, Khandu said the State was all geared up to accord a grand reception to the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader.
However, he added, the State was yet to receive official confirmation from the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Chief Minister said his Government would urge the Centre to expedite the work of all major infrastructural projects, especially the Trans- Arunachal Highways that runs west to east bordering the Tibetan territories of China. He committed that his Government would work sincerely and effectively to realize the aspirations of the people.
Earlier in the day, Governor General (Retd) J J Singh administered the oath of office and secrecy to 54-year-old Khandu at a function held at the Raj Bhawan in Itanagar.
This is Khandu’s fifth term as member of the State Legislative Assembly.