Amidst ongoing discussions regarding the India-China border, particularly concerning Arunachal Pradesh, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has firmly refuted claims of Chinese encroachment. These claims, often amplified by media reports and social media posts, allege that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been intruding into Indian territory. Rijiju, who represents Arunachal Pradesh, addressed these concerns by clarifying that the mere presence of markings or activities in the undemarcated areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) does not constitute an actual encroachment on Indian territory.
Rijiju's statements came in response to reports that the PLA had allegedly entered the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. These reports included images circulating on social media depicting bonfires, painted rocks, and Chinese food items purportedly found at the site. However, the Union Minister emphasized that while overlapping patrols by Indian and Chinese forces do occur in these undemarcated zones, such instances do not equate to a territorial invasion. He assured the public that India maintains strict vigilance in the region and that China is prohibited from constructing any permanent structures in these areas.
India and China share a 3,400 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) that stretches from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. For years, a border dispute has simmered between the two nations, particularly concerning Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region. China claims that Arunachal Pradesh is Chinese territory, a claim India has repeatedly and vehemently rejected.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides having deployed thousands of additional soldiers to the border region following a fatal clash in Ladakh in 2020. Despite the ongoing tensions and sporadic border clashes, both countries have engaged in diplomatic talks to address the issue.
In June 2025, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun, calling for a structured roadmap to de-escalate tensions and find a permanent solution to the border dispute. Singh emphasized the need to maintain peace along the Indo-China frontier and to solve complex issues through sustained engagement. China has acknowledged that the boundary dispute is complicated and will take time to resolve, but has also expressed its willingness to discuss border delimitation and maintain peace.
Most recently, in July 2025, India and China reviewed the situation along the LAC and prepared for the next round of Special Representatives' dialogue on the boundary question. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the general prevalence of peace and tranquility in the border areas.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, a resolution to the territorial disagreements remains elusive. Negotiations have primarily focused on the Ladakh region and have not yet addressed areas in the eastern sector, such as Arunachal Pradesh. Until a mutually agreeable solution is found, the potential for further skirmishes and standoffs remains.