His remarks came days after Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Kapur spoke of continuing face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops at several locations in the state, prompting the Congress to seek clarification from the Centre over the border situation.

Khandu says differing border claims lead to patrol encounters

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the International Tourism Mart in Tawang, Khandu said such incidents had occurred repeatedly because India and China had not reached an agreement on the precise alignment of their border.

“No doubt transgression has happened. It keeps happening; it is nothing new since the border is not defined. The situation is quite normal now and our Armed Forces are guarding the border very well,” the Indian Express quoted him as saying.

Explaining the underlying issue, the chief minister said China did not recognise the McMahon Line, which India considers the boundary in Arunachal Pradesh. He also referred to the state’s roughly 1,200-km frontier with Tibet, noting that patrols from both sides sometimes entered territories claimed by the other.

ITBP chief reports continuing face-offs along Arunachal border

On October 22, ITBP Director General Shatrujeet Kapur said personnel had encountered Chinese troops at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh and that face-offs were continuing. Speaking at a function in Alwar, Rajasthan, he also highlighted the role of the force’s specialised mountain commandos.

The remarks prompted the Congress to demand an explanation from the Centre, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, about developments along the border. Reports of friction had also emerged from Taksing in Upper Subansiri district, where Indian and Chinese forces have differing perceptions of the LAC.

Taksing, Asaphila and Longju remain sensitive areas

Providing further context, defence sources told India Today on October 24 that Asaphila and Longju, two border areas near Taksing, remained sensitive but were under control. According to the sources, no violent clashes had been reported, while military commanders continued to communicate to manage encounters between patrols.

Efforts to prevent such incidents from escalating have also involved direct engagement between the two sides. On September 6 and 7, senior Indian and Chinese military officers held meetings at Wacha on the Indian side and Damai on the Chinese side as part of efforts to manage the situation in the eastern sector through dialogue.

India and China offer differing accounts of LAC patrols

Responding to Kapur’s remarks on October 23, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said disruptions occurred when Chinese forces deviated from established patrolling patterns. He added that both countries were using military and diplomatic channels to prevent misunderstandings and had agreed to discuss ways to improve their understanding of the LAC in appropriate areas.

China, however, offered a different account on October 26. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Chinese troops were conducting routine patrols and that Beijing was adhering to existing agreements with India. He also said the two countries remained in communication through military and diplomatic channels.

The differing statements underline the challenges facing both countries as they seek to manage encounters along a disputed frontier. While India has raised concerns about Chinese patrolling patterns, Beijing maintains that its troops are operating normally in the areas it claims.

Why the India-China border dispute in Arunachal Pradesh persists

The LAC serves as the de facto dividing line between India and China, but parts of it have never been mutually delineated. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of what it calls southern Tibet, while India rejects the claim and maintains that the state is an integral part of the country.

Although the two countries reached an agreement in October 2024 that led to disengagement at Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh, the arrangement did not resolve their broader boundary dispute. Consequently, differences over the alignment of the LAC and patrolling rights continue to pose challenges, including in Arunachal Pradesh.