The main Opposition party reacted strongly to Beijing’s protest, saying “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country (and) India should give a proper, effective and strong reply to the Chinese objection”.

Party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad was reacting to Chinese government lodging a protest with India over the Prime Minister’s statement that Arunachal was “our land of rising sun” during his maiden visit to the state last month.

China, which has been laying claim over Arunachal Pradesh, has conveyed to India that it was not proper to make such comments at a time when the two countries were engaged in talks over the boundary question.

BJP had earlier criticised the Prime Minister for not visiting border town of Tawang during his trip to Arunachal Pradesh, saying it did not give the right signal and was a matter of serious concern.