National/Alive News: Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Kapur has said that Indian and Chinese troops have faced off at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh in recent months, with tensions continuing in the region.
The situation has reportedly remained tense since late July in the Asaphila and Maja areas of Upper Subansiri district. India has also strengthened its deployment along the border amid the continuing tensions.
Kapur made the remarks on Thursday during the Himveer Samman ceremony at the ITBP’s Central Training College in Alwar, Rajasthan.
ITBP Chief Says Tensions Persist Despite High-Level Talks
Kapur said tensions had continued despite diplomatic and military-level engagements between India and China since July. These included meetings under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC), talks between the two countries’ Special Representatives and Corps Commander-level discussions.
He also highlighted the changing nature of warfare, noting that drones had significantly altered conventional military operations. The ITBP is working to develop drone capabilities and strengthen its anti-drone systems to address emerging security challenges.
Kapur further said the force was constructing underground shelters to protect its resources near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the disputed boundary separating Indian- and Chinese-controlled areas.
Congress Accuses Government of Silence on Border Tensions
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh criticised the Centre over the reported confrontations and accused the government of remaining silent on developments along the border.
In a post on X, Ramesh wrote, “India is paying the price for the infamous clean chit given to China by the Prime Minister on 19 June 2020.”
He also alleged that the government’s concessions to China continued despite the latest face-offs between Indian troops and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Arunachal Pradesh.
The remarks refer to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on June 19, 2020, following the deadly clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh.
Galwan Valley Clash Marked a Major Escalation in 2020
On June 15, 2020, Indian and Chinese troops clashed in the Galwan Valley, resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian Army personnel. The incident marked a major escalation in tensions between the two countries along the LAC.
Both sides subsequently deployed additional troops and military equipment in eastern Ladakh. The confrontation led to a prolonged military standoff, followed by several rounds of diplomatic and military negotiations.
The border dispute remains unresolved in several areas, despite disengagement agreements and continued dialogue between the two countries.
China Continues to Rename Places in Arunachal Pradesh
India and China have a long-standing territorial dispute over Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as part of southern Tibet and refers to as Zangnan.
China has repeatedly issued Chinese names for places in the Indian state as part of its territorial claims. In 2023, Beijing announced names for 11 locations, followed by another list covering approximately 30 locations in 2024.
India has consistently rejected China’s attempts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining that the state is an integral and inalienable part of the country.
The latest remarks by the ITBP chief have brought renewed attention to border security in Arunachal Pradesh, while the Congress has questioned the Centre’s handling of relations with China. The reported face-offs underline the continuing security challenges along the India-China border.
