Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has reignited the ongoing India-China border debate with a pointed statement that is likely to stir fresh discussions. While addressing a public gathering near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Khandu said that Arunachal shares its border not with China, but with Tibet.
This assertion came in the backdrop of China’s continued efforts to claim parts of Arunachal Pradesh as “South Tibet.” The statement from the chief minister not only reaffirms India’s consistent stance on the border but also reflects the sentiment of local communities who have strong historical and cultural ties with Tibet.
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Arunachal border with Tibet: A historical view
While China has repeatedly asserted that Arunachal Pradesh is part of its territory, India has firmly rejected such claims. Pema Khandu’s declaration that the Arunachal border is with Tibet directly challenges Beijing’s narrative.
“Let me be very clear,” Khandu said, addressing villagers in Tawang district, “Our border is not with China. It is with Tibet.” He added that historical trade routes, cultural links, and local memories prove that the people of Arunachal Pradesh have long connected with Tibet—not with mainland China.
Khandu’s statement carries weight, especially coming from a border-state leader who regularly visits forward posts and interacts with Indian soldiers stationed along the LAC.
A political message to Beijing
The Chief Minister’s words are being seen as a firm political message. At a time when China continues to rename places in Arunachal and protest Indian leaders’ visits to the region, Khandu’s assertion reflects a broader sentiment within India to push back diplomatically and ideologically.
This is not the first time Indian leaders have countered Beijing’s claims. However, Khandu’s approach strikes a chord by invoking Tibet—a historically autonomous region before China’s takeover in the 1950s.
By highlighting the Arunachal border with Tibet, Khandu emphasizes the long-standing cultural ties that predate modern political disputes. The residents of regions like Tawang and Mechuka, for example, still follow traditions rooted in Tibetan Buddhism.
Local support and strategic timing
Khandu made the remarks during a community interaction near the India-Tibet border in Tawang, just days after Chinese media outlets reiterated Beijing’s claim over the region. His statement received applause from locals, many of whom feel alienated by China’s aggressive posturing.
In recent years, the Arunachal government has ramped up infrastructure in border areas. Roads, bridges, helipads, and forward posts have been developed to support both security and connectivity. Khandu noted that this development reflects India’s intent to ensure that residents feel connected to the Indian state.
Timing-wise, the comment comes amid increasing India-China tensions and a global pushback on aggressive Chinese foreign policy.
New Delhi’s consistent position
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly stated that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. In fact, India has dismissed China’s renaming of places in the state as “senseless and baseless.”
Khandu’s remarks thus align with New Delhi’s official policy and add a personal and regional perspective to the national narrative.
India also maintains that the McMahon Line, agreed upon in 1914 between British India and Tibet, forms the legal boundary. China, however, disputes this agreement, claiming Tibet lacked sovereignty to sign it—a claim India does not accept.
Cultural identity over geopolitical rhetoric
Khandu’s message also touches upon the idea of cultural identity. “We may be divided by borders, but our hearts have always remained connected to the Tibetan way of life,” he said.
This angle introduces a powerful narrative: that Arunachal’s link is not with modern China, but with Tibet’s ancient spiritual and cultural heritage.
This statement may resonate not just with locals but also with global observers who support Tibetan autonomy or criticize Beijing’s policies in the Himalayan region.
By stating that the Arunachal border is with Tibet, not China, Pema Khandu has added a new layer to India’s ongoing resistance to Beijing’s territorial claims. His words reflect both local sentiment and national strategy.
While China continues its assertions, the people and leadership of Arunachal Pradesh remain clear: their history, identity, and border lie with Tibet—not with the People’s Republic of China.
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