“RESPECT OUR TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY”

The Chinese authorities made their displeasure over the Dalai Lama’s visit to Tawang, in Arunachal Pradesh, clear to India, only to receive a terse response from the state’s chief minister, Pema Khandu. “China has no business telling us what to do,” said Khandu, who at 38 is India’s youngest CM and whose constituency is Tawang. Speaking to Kaushik Deka, Khandu reiterates that Arunachal Pradesh is and must remain a part of India.

Q. What do you mean when you say India shares a boundary with Tibet and not China? A. Traditionally, we always had a border with Tibet. China came into the picture only after it forcefully occupied Tibet. I was referring to our traditional border.

Q. But what is your view on the current status?

A. This is a subject for the Government of India. As a responsible citizen, I respect the decisions of the government. And China, too, must respect the fact that Arunachal Pradesh is a part of India.

Q. What is your position on China’s claim to Arunachal Pradesh?

A. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. History says that neither Tibet

nor Arunachal was traditionally part of China. If we recognise Tibet’s assimilation with China, then they too must respect our territorial integrity.

Q. Did you invite the Dalai Lama knowing it would trigger a controversy?

A. This is not the first time the Dalai Lama has visited Arunachal. In fact, this is his sixth visit. He is more of a spiritual leader for us—as he is for his followers around the world—than a political leader. I have been inviting him since 2011 and we are privileged by His Holiness’s visit.

Q. How should the border dispute between India and China be resolved?

A. This dispute must end now. It has been going on for over six decades. But whatever the solution, Arunachal Pradesh’s geography must not be compromised in the bargain. n