Rejecting China's claims over Arunachal Pradesh, India on Wednesday made it clear that the state is an integral part of the country and its Prime Minister has every right to visit it.
"Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and the just-concluded Assembly election has proved that it was held under the Indian Constitution," Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told a press conference at WBPCC headquarters in Kolkata, after a party state secretariat meeting.
Mukherjee said that just a few months back people of the state had sent their representatives to Parliament under the Indian constitution.
It was therefore appropriate that the Prime Minister of the country should visit Arunachal Pradesh as leader of the Congress party for election campaign, he said.
"I too visited Arunachal Pradesh for campaigning and we consider it as our legitimate right. It is a proper action on our part," Mukherjee emphasised.
The minister was reacting to Beijing's objection and protest over the prime minister's recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh. PTI
