By Megan E. Dodge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

ARUNACHAL PRADESH, India – What was previously an area of tension has become an even more hotly contested subject as protesters, civilians, and diplomats alike assert claims over Arunachal Pradesh. Most recently, the Dalai Lama’s trip to Arunachal Pradesh, scheduled for mid-November, has sparked major controversy after China opposed the visit.

In the past few weeks as the date of the Dalai Lama’s trip nears, Delhi newspapers and television have been filled with stories about the People’s Liberation Army crossing the Himalayas to inscribe Chinese characters onto rocks, helicopter raids to drop food on hapless farmers, and exchange fire with Indian soldiers. Unfriendly relations between China and Indian began in June over the territory. On one side China asserts ownership over Arunachal Pradesh, while on the other side India claims the region as its own. The reaction was ignited by India’s announcement that it would be sending 60,000 troops to bolster tens of thousands of soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh.

In India, the Kashmir state government, apparently, said its territory was being taken “inch by inch” through such military incursions. The mountainous state of Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,030-kilometer undivided border with China. Foreign ministries in both countries, however, seem to be playing down the reports, though there are still concerns that if the situation is left unchecked, things could spiral out of control.

Chinese troops overran Indian positions in the Himalayas in 1962 before retreating. Since then, both sides have tried to engage in discussions to resolve the territorial problem. After more than a dozen rounds of such talks, virtually no progress has been made as China continues to claim India’s Arunachal Pradesh, and also occupy a portion of territory in Kashmir which India regards as its own.

Despite the tension, excitement among the people persists as the date of the Dalai Lama’s visit to the mountainous state approaches. Reacting to China’s objection, India’s Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna said Wednesday: “Arunachal Pradesh is a part of India, and the Dalai Lama is free to go anywhere in India.”

China is concerned that a visit to Arunachal Pradesh could now draw further attention to China’s treatment of Tibetan activists and the Dalai Lama’s calls for cultural and religious freedoms and autonomy. Bhaskar Roy, a New Delhi-based China expert said, “[T]he timing of his trip is significant. It comes while the debate over his visit to Taiwan is still hot.”

For more information, please see:

Washington Post –China opposes Dalai Lama trip to disputed India state – September 11, 2009

Yahoo! News – After Taiwan, Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh – September 11, 2009

 The Guardian – Himalayan conflict centres on Tibet – September 17, 2009

MSNBC World News – Buddhist monks pray for safe Dalai Lama visit – September 17, 2009