Washington, Mar 15 (IANS): US Senators Bill Hagerty and Jeff Merkley have introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution reaffirming the US' recognition of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as an "integral part of the Republic of India".
The resolution comes following a major clash between India and China in the Eastern Sector along the Line of Actual Control in six years.
"At a time when China continues to pose grave and gathering threats to the Free and Open Indo-Pacific, it's critical for the US to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our strategic partners in the region -- especially India," said Senator Hagerty in a statement.
"This bipartisan resolution expresses the Senate's support for unequivocally recognizing the state of Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India, condemning China's military aggression to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control, and further enhancing the US-India strategic partnership and the Quad in support of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
"America's values supporting freedom and a rules-based order must be at the center of all of our actions and relationships around the world -- especially as the Chinese government pushes an alternative vision," said Senator Merkley.
"This resolution makes clear that the US views the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of India -- not China -- and commits the US to deepening support and assistance to the region, alongside like-minded international partners and donors."
The resolution reaffirms that the US recognizes the McMahon Line as the international boundary between China and the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, and pushes back against China's claims that Arunachal Pradesh is its territory, which is a part of China's increasingly aggressive and expansionist policies, the statement said.
The Senators' resolution condemns additional Chinese provocations, including China's use of military force to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control, construction of villages in contested areas, publication of maps with Mandarin-language names for cities and features in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, and expansion of Chinese territorial claims in Bhutan.
Furthermore, the resolution commends the Indian government for taking steps to defend itself against aggression and security threats from China.
These efforts include securing India's telecommunications infrastructure; examining its procurement processes and supply chains; implementing investment screening standards; and expanding its cooperation with Taiwan in public health and other sectors, the Senators said.