Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has firmly responded to China’s repeated territorial claims by stating that Arunachal shares a border with Tibet, not China. His remarks come as a sharp counter to Beijing’s ongoing attempts to claim the northeastern state as part of its territory.
🔴 “Arunachal Borders Tibet, Not China” – Says CM Khandu
In an exclusive interview, CM Khandu corrected a reporter’s suggestion that the state shares a border with China.
“Let me clarify. We share a border with Tibet, not with China,” he said.
He further added that India has never shared a direct border with China, but with Tibet — which was forcefully occupied by China in the 1950s.
📍 Arunachal’s International Borders
Khandu outlined the three international borders Arunachal shares:
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150 km with Bhutan
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550 km with Myanmar
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Nearly 1,200 km with Tibet
This statement was made to push back against China’s narrative and to remind the world of the region’s historical and geopolitical reality.
🇨🇳 China’s Repeated Claims Over Arunachal
China continues to refer to Arunachal Pradesh as ‘Zangnan’ or Southern Tibet, and has made several illegal attempts to rename towns and landmarks in the state.
In May 2025, Beijing released another controversial map showing Arunachal as part of its territory. India responded strongly, calling it a “preposterous claim” and reaffirmed that:
“Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral part of India.”
This was not the first time. In 2024, China renamed 30 places in Arunachal, and in 2023, released a ‘standard map’ including Arunachal and Aksai Chin, just days before India hosted the G20 Summit.
🔁 India’s Firm Response to China’s Map Tactics
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had previously dismissed China’s renaming efforts, calling them “absurd”.
“Just by putting out maps doesn’t change anything. Making absurd claims doesn’t make other people’s territory yours,” he said in an interview.
📢 Pema Khandu on China’s Pattern
CM Khandu acknowledged China’s repeated attempts and appreciated the strong stance taken by India’s External Affairs Ministry.
“We know China’s habits. The ministry has handled it firmly and sent a clear message.”
✅ Conclusion
Arunachal CM Pema Khandu’s bold statement reaffirms India’s position on the sensitive border issue. His clear message serves as a powerful reminder to China and the international community that India will not accept any false territorial claims.
