- Kiren Rijiju said China's claim of 60 km incursion into India is wrong.
- Many parts of the Indo-China border are still not definitively demarcated on land.
- Rijiju acknowledged that China is building roads and infrastructure in border areas.
Political and strategic discussions have once again started over the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. For the past few days, it has been claimed that China has invaded Arunachal Pradesh up to 60 km. However, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has given an important clarification rejecting this claim.
According to Rijiju, the problems and concerns of citizens in border villages are real. However, it does not mean that China occupied Indian villages or Indian territory up to 60 km. Many parts of the border between India and China are still not clearly demarcated on land, creating disputes and tensions at the local level.
Geographical situation of border villages is also the cause of this problem – Rijiju
Rijiju explained that the geographical situation of the border villages is also a reason for this problem. The higher hilly areas are sparsely populated and most of the villages are located in valleys or relatively low-lying areas. This raises questions about the traditional lands of the villagers and the actual boundaries.
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Meanwhile, Rijiju acknowledged that China has built a lot of infrastructure in the border areas. Roads, highways and other facilities are being developed by China. On the other hand, earlier India had adopted a different policy regarding road construction in border areas. The then Defense Minister A. K. Antony presented the government's stand regarding the construction of roads in the border areas in Parliament.
India also has the right to develop development works in its border areas – Rijiju
Rijiju clarified that if infrastructure is being built by China, India also has the right to carry out development works in its border areas. However, it would not be right to take this situation directly to mean that China occupied Indian villages.
India considers Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of the country. Arunachal Pradesh has a border of about 1,126 km between India and China. Therefore, the issue of border development, demarcation and security of local citizens becomes very important.
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