During a parliamentary debate on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju firmly stated that China has not encroached "even an inch" into Indian territory since the 1962 war. Rijiju made this assertion in the Lok Sabha while responding to claims made by Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav regarding Chinese intrusions in Arunachal Pradesh.

Rijiju, who himself is from Arunachal Pradesh, felt it necessary to correct the record after Yadav's statements. He clarified that the areas currently held by China in Arunachal Pradesh were already under their control either before or during the 1962 conflict. He emphasized that since 1962, there have been no new intrusions or occupation of additional land by China.

Rijiju further explained that the boundary between India and China remains undemarcated in many places. Because of this, patrolling by both sides in overlapping zones should not be construed as territorial gains or encroachment. He stated that the Indian armed forces remain vigilant, and no permanent structures have been built by China in any new areas since 1962.

The Minister cautioned against politicizing national security issues and urged opposition members to avoid spreading misinformation. He said that making such statements in Parliament without verifying facts does injustice to the people of border regions and the forces.

Rijiju’s statement came during a debate on Operation Sindoor, India's cross-border military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

The Sino-Indian border dispute is an ongoing issue, with the two countries holding differing views on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The LAC dates back to boundaries drawn before India's independence in 1947 and has been the subject of numerous talks and agreements. In October 2024, India and China reached an agreement over patrolling arrangements along the LAC, aiming to de-escalate the long-running conflict that began in 2020.

Tensions have risen in recent years, particularly after a violent skirmish in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, which resulted in casualties on both sides. Before that, a major dispute occurred in 2017 on the Doklam plateau near the borders of India, Bhutan, and China.

Both India and China have been developing infrastructure along the border, leading to concerns about potential military applications. China's construction of roads, heliports, and airports, as well as the building or expansion of border villages, has raised concerns among Indian officials. India has also been working on improving infrastructure, including roads and tunnels, in the border regions.

Despite these tensions, both countries have expressed a desire to maintain peace and stability in the border areas. They have engaged in diplomatic and military-level talks to address the situation and find mutually acceptable solutions.