Indian and Chinese border forces have clashed in Arunachal Pradesh. Shatrujeet Kapoor, the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), announced that Indian and Chinese forces have faced each other at several locations along the informal border.
Border tensions and history
Kapoor said at a press conference: “In recent days, the situation has developed in such a way that clashes with Chinese forces occurred at various locations in Arunachal Pradesh, and this situation continues.” He also noted that confronting China through conventional means is difficult, as the People's Liberation Army of China and their border regiment are heavily investing and modernizing.
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The disputed border between India and China passes through a remote mountainous area, and over the decades, clashes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) have repeatedly created security crises between the two most populous countries in the world. Relations between Beijing and New Delhi are still affected by the deadly violence of ٢٠٢٠.
Reactions and analyses
In this context, Pema Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, downplayed these clashes, stating that such incidents are not new and that the border situation is normal. He also acknowledged that the border is not properly demarcated and that China does not recognize the McMahon Line drawn by the British Empire in ١٩١٤.
The Indian National Congress party criticized Khandu's statements and accused the current government, led by Narendra Modi, of “justifying” China's actions. Meanwhile, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, attributed these incidents to changes in the patrol routes of Chinese forces.
Chinese officials also rejected these claims, stating that Chinese forces are conducting “normal patrols” and are adhering to bilateral agreements. Given that the LAC line mainly separates areas controlled by India and China, forces from both countries are patrolling areas that each considers to be their own.
While there are concerns about these clashes, some analysts believe that these incidents may be due to changes in Chinese activities at the border. Ashokanta, a former Indian ambassador to China, stated that if China has moved deeper into Indian territory from the LAC or has established its presence in new areas, this would be a serious development.
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