China on Monday asked India to be “cautious” and exercise “restraint” over building infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh, days after a bridge that links it to neighbouring state of Assam was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NDTV reported.

 “We hope India adopts a cautious and restrained attitude on the issue before the final settlement of the border issue with China to jointly control disputes, safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry told a New Delhi based news agency.

“China’s position on the eastern section of the Sino-Indian border areas is consistent and clear,” a statement in Chinese said.

Narendra Modi last week opened the country’s longest bridge over the Brahmaputra river that connects Assam’s easternmost region with Arunachal Pradesh.

The 9.2 km Dhola-Sadiya bridge will cut the distance and travel time between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh by 165 km and five hours.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet. India has repeatedly rejected that stand, asserting that the border state is an integral part of India.

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