Diplomatic Flare-Up: Pakistan Backs China’s Claim on Arunachal Pradesh, India Calls Position ‘Baseless’
Islamabad Reaffirms ‘Consistent Support’ for Beijing on Territorial Matters; New Delhi Rejects Assertion as Attempt to Alter Ground Reality
Pakistan Backs China’s Claim on Arunachal Pradesh, India Strongly Rejects Move
In a move that has intensified regional tensions, Pakistan has publicly reaffirmed its full support for China’s territorial claim over the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. During a weekly press briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi declared that Pakistan stands firmly with China “on all matters concerning its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
This backing directly supports Beijing’s position that Arunachal Pradesh—referred to by China as ‘Zangnan’ (Southern Tibet)—is Chinese territory and not part of India. The statement comes at a time when the India-China boundary dispute has resurfaced, following an incident at Shanghai airport where an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh was reportedly detained and told her passport was invalid due to the state’s disputed status.
Pakistan’s remarks highlight the deepening strategic alignment between Islamabad and Beijing, further cementing their long-standing “all-weather” partnership on issues that challenge India’s territorial claims.
India Responds: Arunachal Pradesh Is ‘Integral and Inalienable’
India responded with a sharp and unequivocal rejection. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and inalienable part of India,” adding that no political statements or third-party endorsements can change this reality.
New Delhi described Pakistan’s comments as unwarranted interference in a bilateral matter between India and China, calling the move a politically motivated gesture designed to echo Beijing’s narrative. India also emphasized that its borders are internationally recognized and that China’s repeated attempts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh have no legal or factual impact on the region’s sovereignty.
A Geopolitical Signal in a Tense Region
Pakistan’s decision to openly back China comes at a strategically sensitive moment, amid rising competition between major powers and following key diplomatic engagements involving India. The move reflects the close military and economic ties between China and Pakistan—often described as the “Iron Brothers” partnership.
For Pakistan, the endorsement serves as a counterbalance to its tense relationship with India, particularly over Jammu and Kashmir. For China, Pakistan’s support adds diplomatic weight to its aggressive territorial assertions.
For India, however, the alignment of its two main adversaries on a sensitive border issue increases pressure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and reinforces the need for stronger infrastructure, security preparedness, and diplomatic vigilance.