Arunachal is "integral and important part" of India: Pranab

Says no longer should this region be considered remote

On one of the rare Presidential visits to this part of the country, incumbent Pranab Mukherjee today asserted that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and important part of the Northeast region of India and a core stake holder in country's 'Look East' foreign policy.

In comments that will be read with interest in Beijing, which lays claim over parts of the state, he said no longer should this region be considered remote.

"The Centre and the state government should together rapidly build the infrastructure linkages and connectivity with the rest of India that is required and this legislature and the people of Arunachal should extend every assistance possible to this venture," he said in his address to Arunachal Pradesh assembly.

China, which has raised disputes regarding India's sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh, has off late upped the ante by issuing stapled visas to residents of the state in a bid to buttress its claim.

But the visits by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh some years ago and the President now are seen as an attempt by India to send a clear message to China that India has an unassailable sovereignty over the state.