Arunachal an integral part of India: Rijiju

Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country and the government is committed to protecting its territorial integrity, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said here today.

"Our stand is clear and we are committed to protect the state's territorial integrity", Rijiju told reporters on sidelines of an event here.

"There is nothing new in the claims of China. We are committed to protecting our territorial integrity with all sincerity and effort. There is no change in our position", he said.

Rijiju said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the issue of stapled Visa and border issue during his visit to that country.

"So now when I am with the people of my state, I must tell them not to worry about the situation because of statement from elsewhere. It will not change the reality on the ground," the minister said.

His reaction came after Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying yesterday reaffirmed Beijing's claim on Arunachal which they treat as a part of "Southern Tibet".

"The Chinese government does not recognise the Mc Mahon line which is illegal," Hua had said while reacting to national security advisor Ajit Doval's remarks at K F Rustamji lecture in New Delhi recently.