India on Monday dismissed China's concerns over United States Ambassador Richard Verma's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, ANI reported. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said there was nothing unusual about the accredited ambassador's visit to the state, which is an "integral part" of India.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the ambassador was in Arunachal Pradesh (which China claims some part of as its own) to attend the Tawang festival last week. Rijiju said the visit was not a political one. China had protested Verma's visit to the state and said his presence would "complicate" the Sino-Indian dispute over the territory.
The Sino-Indian border has been a matter of dispute as China lays claim to parts of Arunachal Pradesh and both countries have varying versions of the Line of Actual Control separating the countries.
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