Pakistan reiterates backing for China in Arunachal Pradesh standoff with India

Pakistan reiterated its unequivocal support on Friday for China’s position on territorial integrity and sovereignty, following reports about China renaming several areas in Arunachal Pradesh.

“We have seen the reports about Arunachal Pradesh, and Pakistan reiterates its support to China on issues of territorial integrity and sovereignty,” said Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan during the ministry’s weekly press briefing.

The territorial dispute between China and India over Arunachal Pradesh has long been a flashpoint in regional geopolitics. China refers to the region as "Zangnan" and claims it as part of southern Tibet, while India maintains that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and “inseparable” part of its territory. The disagreement has led to repeated military standoffs along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), including deadly clashes in 2020 that left 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead.

India has consistently rejected China’s moves to rename areas in Arunachal Pradesh as attempts to bolster its claims.

In April 2023, Beijing issued a similar renaming of nearly 30 locations, which New Delhi dismissed as “senseless,” reiterating that the state remains an undisputed part of India. The two countries share a 3,800-kilometre (2,360-mile) un-demarcated border and fought a brief but intense war in 1962.

Pakistan-India tensions also addressed

During the same briefing, the Foreign Office also addressed escalating tensions with India, accusing New Delhi of jeopardizing regional stability through provocative actions.

The spokesperson said Pakistan's armed forces responded effectively through Operation Bunyan-e-Marsous, claiming the Pakistan Air Force had shot down six Indian fighter jets that violated its airspace.

He added that Pakistan had conveyed its concerns to international partners and returned a captured Indian border security official as a goodwill gesture. Talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations have been ongoing since May 10, with efforts focused on de-escalation and maintaining the ceasefire.

The spokesperson further condemned India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, terming it an illegal move that threatens Pakistan’s economy and the livelihoods of its people.

With additional input from Reuters