Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 12: Government sources have rejected fresh claims on social media alleging that China is carrying out a “slow encroachment” into Arunachal Pradesh, describing the allegations as “attention-seeking ploys” unsupported by specific evidence.

According to a report by news agency ANI citing government sources, there is no such “slow encroachment” by China in Arunachal Pradesh. The sources said that although parts of the India-China border in the region remain undemarcated, instances of patrols from the two sides coming face-to-face are dealt with through established mechanisms and protocols.

“Due to the undemarcated border at times the patrols face off each other, this is resolved through existing mechanisms and protocols in vogue. The Army and ITBP are geared up to dominate the border, monitor and check Chinese activities. Sensational claims like this without going into specifics are attention-seeking ploys,” the sources said, according to ANI.

The sources said the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) remain equipped to monitor developments along the frontier, dominate the border and check Chinese activities.

China has long claimed Arunachal Pradesh

The sources also referred to China's longstanding territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh. Beijing refers to the state as “South Tibet” and has historically contested India's sovereignty over the region.

During the 1960 India-China border talks, China reportedly claimed approximately 69,000 sq km of territory in Arunachal Pradesh.

The sources also cited the 1959 incident at Longju, where Chinese forces attacked an Assam Rifles post and captured the area. They said the area has since remained in “adverse possession” and has frequently been in the news because of infrastructure development carried out by China.

Arunachal saw major operations in 1962 war

Arunachal Pradesh was also the scene of major military operations during the 1962 India-China war.

According to the sources, Chinese forces launched major operations across the Kameng, Subansiri, Siyom, Siang and Lohit valleys. Following the ceasefire, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) withdrew north of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), they said.

The sources noted that Arunachal Pradesh shares a large border with Tibet along the Great Himalayan range. India's infrastructure push in recent years, they added, has strengthened patrolling and surveillance capabilities along the sensitive frontier.

India reiterates Arunachal is integral part of country

The latest development comes amid renewed focus on India's border security and infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh and China's continued claims over the state.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has repeatedly rejected China's claims over Arunachal Pradesh. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recently reiterated India's position following China's objection to India's naming of places in the state.

“Let me reiterate this once again that Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable and integral part of India and this is a fact that is self-evident. At the same time, let me also underline that nothing can change this indisputable reality,” Jaiswal said.

India has also officially identified 27 locations in Arunachal Pradesh using their standard names on Survey of India maps, in a move that came against the backdrop of China's repeated attempts to assign Chinese names to places in the state.

The locations include Long Ju, where an India-China military clash took place in 1959, and Thag La, which witnessed initial engagements during the 1962 war. The list also includes Jairampur, an important logistical centre in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, as well as Jaswant Garh and the Sher-e-Thapa Memorial, which commemorate Indian soldiers who fought during the 1962 conflict.

China continues attempts to rename places

Beijing has released several lists of Chinese names for places in Arunachal Pradesh, which China refers to as “Zangnan”.

China released its first list containing six names in 2017, followed by 15 names in 2021 and another 11 designations in 2023.

India has repeatedly rejected the Chinese designations as fictitious, maintaining that unilateral attempts to rename locations cannot alter the ground situation or India's sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh.