world · 2026-10-24
India-China border face-offs continue in Arunachal
Photo: via The Hindu
Indian and Chinese troops are still facing off at multiple spots along the Arunachal Pradesh border. Talks haven't ended the standoff, so tensions persist.
Are Chinese troops still facing Indian troops in Arunachal?
Yes. ITBP chief Shatrujeet Kapur said on Thursday that face-offs with Chinese troops have occurred at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh "and it still continues." Since late July, Chinese troops have camped 6-7 km inside India's perceived Line of Actual Control near Maja. Three rounds of high-level talks since July have not ended the stand-off.
What have the India-China talks achieved?
The talks have managed the dispute, not resolved it. Three rounds since July produced agreements on faster boundary talks, new military hotlines and meeting points, and reopening border trade. But no troop withdrawal was confirmed, and face-offs continue at multiple locations in Arunachal Pradesh. China still claims about 90,000 sq km of the state.
Did any agreement make Chinese troops move their tents?
No. Three rounds of talks since July produced agreements on mechanisms like hotlines and meeting points, but not on withdrawal. Chinese troops remain camped in tents 6-7 km inside India's perceived Line of Actual Control near Maja, and ITBP chief Shatrujeet Kapur confirmed face-offs continue at several locations.
Why have three rounds of talks failed to end the face-offs?
Talks manage incidents but don't settle the boundary. India bases its claim on the 1914 McMahon Line (the border drawn by British India), which China rejects, calling Arunachal 'South Tibet.' With the underlying dispute unresolved, each side patrols its own perception of the LAC, so encounters recur. The mechanisms exist to prevent escalation, not to deliver a final settlement.
When did the Arunachal stand-offs start?
The stand-off started in late July near Asaphila and Maja in Upper Subansiri district. During routine patrolling, Indian and Chinese troops came face to face; both sides briefly withdrew, but Chinese forces returned in larger numbers days later and pitched tents 6-7 km inside India's perception of the Line of Actual Control, where they have remained.
What did India and China agree on in their talks?
The talks produced an eight-point consensus. Both sides agreed to push for an 'Early and Substantial Harvest' in boundary delimitation, which means agreeing where the line falls on paper. They also decided to add two meeting points and two military hotlines, and welcomed reopening three border trading points. The agreements aim to manage tensions, not settle the dispute.
Why is the ITBP chief talking about drones?
He says India can't fight China with 50-year-old weapons, so drones are the future. The ITBP is spending about ₹1,000 crore on drones and anti-drone systems because drones are seen as the great equaliser, as seen in Ukraine and Iran challenging bigger powers in recent conflicts.
What do the talks achieve if troops are still face to face?
The talks are about managing the dispute, not settling it. They build mechanisms, hotlines and meeting points to prevent misunderstandings from escalating into conflict, like the 2020 Galwan clash (a deadly border fight with China). The underlying boundary disagreement, with China claiming Arunachal as South Tibet, remains unresolved, so troops stay face to face.
Source: thehindu.com