New Delhi:
Defence Minister A K Antony has expressed "surprise" over objections raised by China to his visit to Arunachal Pradesh. "I was surprised at this reaction. This is unfortunate and really objectionable," the Defence Minister said.
"I have the right and it's my duty to visit areas of our country. I have the privilege of visiting Arunachal Pradesh since 1984 and I am happy to see the progress of the state and Arunachal Pradesh is progressing well," he added.
Reacting to China's objections, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna had said yesterday that India took this matter "seriously", and asserted that Beijing had "no rights" to interfere in its domestic affairs.
Defending Mr Antony's visit to the northeastern state on the border with China last week, Mr Krishna said, "India will not tolerate external interference of China into the Indian territorial affairs".
He also reminded China that Arunachal Pradesh is a "part and parcel" of India.
"All seven states in North Eastern parts of India are part and parcel of India and China has no rights to make adverse remarks on Antony's visit to Arunachal Pradesh," the foreign minister told reporters.
India has taken the Chinese remarks "seriously" and it would take up the issue with Beijing at an appropriate forum, he added.
Mr Krishna also said it was not the first visit to the northeastern state by Antony.
Reacting sharply to Antony's visit to Arunachal Pradesh for its statehood celebrations, China had said on Saturday that India should refrain from taking any action that could "complicate" the border issue.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei has "asked India to work with China to maintain peace and stability in border areas", state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
China routinely takes exception to any high level visits of Indian officials to Arunachal Pradesh which it claims is a part of Southern Tibet.
It was part of the discussion of the past 15 rounds of border talks by the Special Representatives by the two countries. China also denies visa to people of Arunachal Pradesh as part of its claim to the area.
In a recent case, visa was denied to a senior Indian Air Force officer to visit China as part of defence delegation prompting New Delhi to scale down the size of the delegation.
(With PTI inputs)