MEA Warns China Border Tensions Could Affect Ties

• MEA says border peace and tranquillity remain essential to India-China relations.
• Reports alleged Chinese troops crossed the LAC near Pukar La and Ollo in Upper Subansiri.
• India and China reviewed the LAC situation at the 36th WMCC meeting on August 6.
• New Delhi says diplomatic and military channels will continue to address outstanding border issues.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 11th Aug: India has warned that the situation along the India-China border will have a bearing on the broader relationship between the two countries, amid reports of an alleged Chinese incursion in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Tuesday that maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border remains a priority for India.

“In matters relating to the border areas between India and China, we have always emphasised in discussions with the Chinese side that we consider these issues as most serious and that the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in these areas is of the utmost importance,” Jaiswal said.

He added that India has consistently conveyed that “the state of the border affairs will reflect on the state of our larger bilateral ties.”

Reports of alleged LAC incursion
Recent reports, citing residents, claimed that Chinese troops had crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and entered areas near Pukar La and Ollo in the Taksing circle of Upper Subansiri.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu had last week rejected the reports, saying he would consult the Army and local organisations to establish what had actually happened. He had expressed confidence that the Army was effectively guarding the border and Indian territory.

The MEA did not directly confirm the reported incident but reiterated India’s position on maintaining peace along the LAC.

India-China border talks reviewed
Jaiswal said the issue was also discussed during the 36th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) held on August 6.

According to the MEA, both sides held “frank discussions” and reviewed the situation along the LAC. India reiterated that maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas is essential for the overall development of bilateral relations.

The two countries also agreed to continue using existing diplomatic and military mechanisms, including the WMCC and local commander-level meetings, to address outstanding issues and prevent “misunderstanding and miscalculation” along the LAC.

India rejects China’s Arunachal claim
The latest exchange comes amid renewed differences over Arunachal Pradesh.

India recently identified 27 places and geographical features in Arunachal Pradesh by their standard names on the official Indian map, in response to China’s attempts to rename locations in the state.

China rejected the move, with its Foreign Ministry saying the Indian action was “illegal, null and void” and reiterating Beijing’s claim over Arunachal Pradesh.

Responding to China’s position, Jaiswal on Tuesday reaffirmed India’s stance that Arunachal Pradesh is an “inalienable part” of India.