According to a US defense report, China is including Arunachal Pradesh, like Taiwan, in its “core interests” under its “Great Rejuvenation” goal by 2049
China elevates Arunachal to ‘core interest’
New Delhi: After the years-long border tension along the LAC in Ladakh between Undia and China has almost ended, another might be there as China has made its claims over Arunachal Pradesh as part of its "core interests" as stated recently in a US Pentagon report. This core interest also includes Taiwan.
That means that Arunachal Pradesh may emerge as a major flashpoint in New Delhi-Beijing relations.
According to a US defense report, China is including Arunachal Pradesh, like Taiwan, in its "core interests" under its "Great Rejuvenation" goal by 2049, which could make it the new center of the India-China dispute after Ladakh. China is rejecting the McMahon Line and claiming Arunachal Pradesh, and recent passport and YouTuber controversies have further escalated tensions.
This situation is raising international concerns about China's expansionist policy, while India maintains that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of its territory.
Although hopes for peace on the border have been raised after the disengagement of troops on the LAC in eastern Ladakh, a recent report from the US Department of Defense has sounded the alarm for the future. According to the report, China has included Arunachal Pradesh, like Taiwan, in its "core interests."
This report, submitted to the US Congress, reveals that China aims to achieve its goal of "Great Rejuvenation" by 2049. Under this goal, China is asserting its full claim over Arunachal Pradesh, Taiwan, and the South China Sea.
Beijing's goal is to create a "world-class military" by 2049 that is capable of "fighting and winning" any war globally.
Dispute over the McMahon Line
China calls Arunachal Pradesh "South Tibet." It does not accept the McMahon Line drawn by the British in 1914. China's focus is particularly on Tawang. Earlier, its claim was limited to Tawang, but now it has declared the entire Arunachal Pradesh as a disputed territory.
To put pressure on India, China periodically releases fake lists of "Chinese names" for various places in Arunachal Pradesh.
Several Controversies
Some recent incidents have further fueled this tension. Last month, Prema Thongdok, a resident of Arunachal Pradesh traveling from London to Japan, was detained for 18 hours at Shanghai airport. Chinese authorities claimed that the mention of "Arunachal" as her place of birth on her passport rendered it "invalid."
