1 week ago
Rijiju Calls Arunachal Border Development Modi Government’s Top Priority
Kiren Rijiju visited remote border areas in Arunachal Pradesh.
He said the government is building roads and other infrastructure there more quickly than before.
He described border development as a top priority for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Rijiju said parts of the India-China border are not clearly marked on the ground.
This makes it difficult to know exactly where the boundary lies in some places.
He rejected claims that China had moved 60 kilometres into Arunachal Pradesh.
He also said Chinese military activity has increased along some high ridges.
Rijiju said villagers’ worries are real, but unverified videos and rumors can confuse people and hurt soldiers’ morale.
Kiren Rijiju said border development, previously neglected, is now a top priority for the Narendra Modi government.
Rijiju visited Maza, Galemo and Taksing in Arunachal Pradesh to accelerate infrastructure projects.
He rejected claims that Chinese forces had penetrated 60 kilometres into Arunachal Pradesh, calling such claims misleading and unverified.
Rijiju said parts of the India-China boundary lack formal demarcation, border pillars and a clearly marked line.
He acknowledged increased Chinese military activity along some ridgelines and said villagers’ concerns should be taken seriously.
- Who
- Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, the Narendra Modi government, Indian security personnel, Arunachal Pradesh villagers, Chinese forces and opposition leaders are involved.
- What
- Rijiju promoted border infrastructure development and rejected claims of a 60-kilometre Chinese penetration into Arunachal Pradesh while acknowledging an unresolved boundary and increased activity along some ridgelines.
- Where
- The remarks concern Maza, Galemo and Taksing in Arunachal Pradesh, including the Upper Subansiri border region.
- When
- Rijiju made the remarks on Wednesday and Thursday; he said the Taksing road was built in 2019.
- Why
- Rijiju said infrastructure is needed because parts of the boundary are not formally demarcated and China developed roads and facilities earlier; he also sought to counter what he called misleading intrusion claims.
Government position
Opposition and historical context
Alleged Chinese penetration
Government position
Rijiju rejected claims that Chinese forces had entered 60 kilometres into Arunachal Pradesh, saying the boundary is not formally demarcated and that unverified videos or random photographs can create confusion and lower soldiers’ morale.
Opposition and historical context
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi according to the reports, have alleged that the government concealed information about Chinese incursions and failed to adequately protect Indian territory.
Border infrastructure record
Government position
Rijiju blamed Congress-led governments for a policy that discouraged infrastructure construction and said the Modi government changed course after 2014, accelerating roads and connectivity projects.
Opposition and historical context
A. K. Antony acknowledged in 2013 that India had long lagged behind China in border infrastructure, but he also said successive Indian governments had recognised the problem and changed policy before his statement, with UPA governments strengthening border capabilities.
Security concerns
Government position
Rijiju said China had not captured Indian villages and that some disputed stretches remain unclear because the boundary is not demarcated; he said Indian infrastructure and patrolling are being strengthened.
Opposition and historical context
Villagers’ concerns are genuine, according to Rijiju himself, because Chinese military activity has increased along some ridgelines and the unclear boundary continues to cause tension.
Key facts
- Minister
- Kiren Rijiju, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister and representative of Arunachal West in the Lok Sabha.
- Areas visited
- Maza, Galemo and Taksing in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Boundary status
- Rijiju said parts of the India-China boundary have no border pillars or distinct line on the ground.
- Maza infrastructure
- Rijiju said the road to Maza, described as a last border point in the Asapila range, had been completed.
- Taksing road
- Rijiju said the road to Taksing was built in 2019 under the Modi government.
- Chinese activity
- Rijiju said Chinese military activity had increased along some high ridgelines.
- Disputed claim
- Rijiju rejected claims that China had entered 60 kilometres into Arunachal Pradesh.
Quotes
Randhir Jaiswal
MEA spokesperson
“He dismissed the allegations made by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi regarding alleged Chinese intrusion into Indian territory, saying such statements could create confusion if not understood in context.”
thehansindia.com
“"I went to Maza, Galemo, Taksing areas in Arunachal Pradesh to speed up infrastructure works. Borders were neglected in the past but it's top priority now."”
telegraphindia.com
deccanchronicle.com
republicworld.com
Sources
Border areas neglected in past, top priority for Modi govt now: Rijiju amid China-Arunachal row
Borders Neglected Earlier, Now Top Priority For Modi Govt: Kiren Rijiju
'Borders Neglected in Past, Top Priority Now': Kiren Rijiju Visits Remote Arunachal Areas to Speed Up Infra Work
Borders neglected in past, now 'top priority', says Kiren Rijiju; hits out at China intrusion claims
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