A day after China reacted sharply to Defence Minister A K Antonys visit to Arunachal Pradesh,India on Sunday said it took this matter seriously,asserting Beijing had no rights to interfere in its domestic affairs.
Defending Antonys visit to the northeastern state on the border with China last week,External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said India will not tolerate external interference of China into the Indian territorial affairs.
Reminding China that all seven states in northeastern parts of India are part and parcel of India,Krishna said: China has no rights to make adverse remarks on Antonys visit to Arunachal Pradesh.
India has taken the Chinese remarks seriously and it would take up the issue with Beijing at an appropriate forum,he added. Krishna also said it was not the first visit to the state by Antony.
Reacting to Antonys visit to Arunachals statehood celebrations,China said India should refrain from taking any action that could complicate the border issue. Its Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei asked India to work with China to maintain peace and stability in border areas,state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.