China sends warning to India after launch of Assam-Arunachal bridge

New Delhi: China has sent another warning to India after the grand launch ofIndia’s longest bridge, the Bhupen Hazarika Dhola-Sadiya, connecting Arunachal Pradesh to Assam. China asked India to be “cautious” and exercise restraint over building infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh.    

The warning comes in view of China’s claim that it considers Arunachal Pradesh to be a part of Soth Tibet, but India has time and again rejected the neighbouring country, as it remained inflexible on the issue.

Read: China protests to India over Dalai Lama visit

Speaking to media agencies, Chinese Foreign Ministry said it hopes India adopts a cautious and restrained attitude on the issue of the final settlement of the border with China to control disputes.

"China's position on the eastern section of the Sino-Indian border areas is consistent and clear," a statement in Chinese said.

China hard stance against India has been continuing over a long period of time over the border dispute, which has also resulted in a delay of several other key goals of India, including entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the country’s longest bridge, connecting Arunachal Pradesh and Assam over the Bramhaputra River. The bridge is 9.2 km long, is a step forward in connecting the north-east, which has seen a dearth of developmental projects over the past few years.

It is expected to cut distance and travel time between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh by approximately five hours.

Apart from boosting trade and ties between the northeast states, the new bridge also aims to improve army mobilisation, bolstering India’s defence along the border regions in the area.

China’s outcry became louder after the visit of spiritual leader The Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh earlier this year. 

Despite India’s clarification that the 81-year-old leader was here to promote peace and religious harmony, China repeatedly hinted that India’s was trying to use him to politicise the issue.

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