Signalling to China that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and its residents are Indian citizens, India’s delegation for the bilateral security meet with China, included Union Home Minister of State, Kiren Rijiju, reports India Today. China has expressed serious reservations against this. Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, has never been part of any security talks with China.

China has, for long, made a territorial and sovereign claim on the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Involvement of Rijiju in talks could be construed as forfeiture of Chinese assertion that the North-Eastern state is part of China. "Yes, I was part of the Indian delegation," told Rijiju, affirming his presence in the talks.

A delegation led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh met with its Chinese counterpart, headed by Zhao Kezai, China's Minister of Public Security on Monday (22 October). The meeting was organised to discuss security relations between the two nations.

"We did make a strong objection to this arrangement and asked for correction of this wrong move," a Chinese source told India Today.

This isn’t the first time that Rijiju’s actions have invited displeasure from Beijing. China had also warned India that it would take ‘necessary measures’ to protect itself when Kiren Rijiju accompanied the Dalai Lama to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh in April 2017.

In the month-long Doklam staff, PM Modi stood firmly against Chinese bullying and safeguarded India’s interests. The Indian army secured the withdrawal of Chinese troops from the disputed territory.