Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has described the recent encounters between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as routine border transgressions rather than intrusions, stating that the security situation in the state remains normal and under control.
Speaking to reporters in Tawang on October 29, Khandu said that occasional movement of patrols across the disputed frontier was not unusual, given the absence of a mutually agreed boundary in the region. He emphasised that Indian security forces were maintaining a strong presence along the border and effectively protecting the country’s territorial interests.
Explaining the situation, the Chief Minister pointed out that China does not recognise the McMahon Line, which forms the basis of India’s understanding of the boundary in the eastern sector. Arunachal Pradesh shares an approximately 1,200-kilometre-long frontier with Tibet and China, making border management particularly challenging in certain areas.
Khandu noted that patrols from both sides sometimes cross into areas claimed by the other country because of differing perceptions of the boundary. He maintained that such developments should be understood in the context of the unresolved border dispute rather than automatically treated as deliberate military intrusions.
The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid renewed attention to the India-China border following comments by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Singh Kapur. On October 22, Kapur disclosed that Indian and Chinese troops had experienced face-offs at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh, adding that some of these situations were continuing.
His statement brought renewed focus to border security arrangements in the eastern sector and prompted political discussion over developments along the LAC.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) subsequently addressed concerns over the situation, explaining that border conditions can become unsettled when Chinese forces move away from established patrolling patterns. India has consistently maintained that peace and stability along the frontier are essential for maintaining broader bilateral relations with China.
Khandu expressed confidence in the preparedness of India’s armed forces, assuring that the current situation did not warrant immediate concern. He also dismissed suggestions that the recent border developments were affecting tourism in Arunachal Pradesh, particularly in Tawang, an important destination for visitors to the northeastern region.
Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also sought to reassure the public about border security, stating that India’s frontiers remained protected and cautioning against misleading interpretations of the situation.
The India-China boundary dispute remains one of the most sensitive strategic challenges for both countries. Beijing continues to reject the McMahon Line and asserts territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, which India recognises as an integral part of its territory. Differences over the alignment of the boundary have resulted in periodic military confrontations and disagreements over patrolling rights.
Despite these challenges, both countries continue to rely on established military and diplomatic communication channels to manage tensions and prevent localised face-offs from escalating into larger confrontations.
Khandu’s latest comments underline the state government’s confidence in India’s border management capabilities while acknowledging that occasional transgressions remain a recurring feature of the unresolved frontier dispute.