India has again rejected the "absurd claims" and "baseless arguments" made by China on Arunachal Pradesh. In a befitting reply to China on Arunachal, India asserted it to be an "integral and inalienable part of India". The MEA noted that people of Arunachal will "continue to benefit" from India's development programmes. Chinese Defence Ministry recently reiterated its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, terming the Indian State as “China’s inherent territory”. The Chinese military's comments came days after India rejected China’s remark on PM Modi’s visit to the northeast state. PM Modi on March 9 virtually inaugurated the strategic Sela Tunnel during an event held in the capital city of Itanagar. Further on March 15, Zhang said that China “firmly opposes India's illegal establishment of the so-called 'Arunachal Pradesh'”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 09 reached Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh. He took a sharp jibe at the Congress and INDIA bloc leaders questioning about his family. In Arunachal Pradesh, he also dedicated the world's longest bi-lane tunnel, Sela Tunnel, to the nation at the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit North East' programme.