Congress mocks China for objecting to PM Modi's Arunachal visit

The Congress on Saturday said that China has become a 'laughing stock' of the world by staking its claim on Arunachal Pradesh.

"I think China is making a mockery of itself by repeating this objection every time any Indian travels to Arunachal Pradesh. They make themselves the laughing stock of the world if they think that visas are required to travel to Arunachal Pradesh," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.

"I can only pity their sense of propriety; not a single part of the world believes in this Chinese tactic. But the Chinese believe that if they repeat something long enough, howsoever false it may be, it becomes the truth," he added.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju earlier in the day dismissed China's protest over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh, saying there can't be a dispute as far as the whole territory and state is concerned.

"There can be a dispute about one-two kilometres as far as the boundary is concerned. But there can't be a dispute as far as the whole territory and state is concerned. Discussions with regard to the boundary will continue," he said.

"Why should someone (China) have problem with Prime Minister visiting any part of his country? He will definitely visit again," he added.

China had yesterday lodged an official protest over the Prime Minister's official visit to Itanagar where he inaugurated a train line and power station.

"The Chinese government has never recognized the so-called 'Arunachal Pradesh'," a statement on the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website said.

China further said that the Prime Minister's visit was 'not conducive to the overall development of bilateral relations'.