New Delhi, August 20: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated on Thursday that border areas, previously overlooked, have now become a top priority under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He emphasized the central government’s commitment to enhancing development and infrastructure in these regions.
Rijiju shared a video on ‘X’ showcasing his visit to the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh, including Maja, Galemo, and Taksing. The footage displayed machinery working on infrastructure projects. The minister interacted with soldiers and local residents, highlighting the strategically significant and rugged Himalayan terrain.
In his post, Rijiju wrote, “Some people carelessly comment on border issues. The border areas are challenging, but the current central government is dedicated to their development. I visited Maja, Galemo, and Taksing in Arunachal Pradesh to expedite infrastructure work. Borders were previously neglected, but they are now a top priority.”
He also shared a clip from an interview where he dismissed claims made by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi regarding Chinese incursions into Indian territory. Rijiju stated that concerns in Arunachal Pradesh should be viewed in the context of the long-standing unresolved India-China border.
He remarked, “Such statements should not be made. There are issues in several areas of Arunachal Pradesh. It is essential to understand the root of these issues. India and China share a long border in Arunachal Pradesh that has not been formally demarcated. There are no border pillars, and the boundary line is unclear. This is not a new issue; even when Tibet was a separate entity, the border between Tibet and India was not defined.”
Rijiju acknowledged that the lack of a defined border raises valid concerns for residents in border areas but criticized the sharing of unverified videos and claims that mislead the public.
He stated, “It is wrong to spread confusion by sharing various videos. There is indeed a border issue. Some villagers in Arunachal Pradesh have expressed concerns, which is valid since the border is not defined.”
The central minister explained that the region’s rugged terrain had previously limited permanent settlement. Historically, these areas were used for hunting and grazing rather than habitation. The unresolved border has led to long-standing tensions between India and China.
According to Rijiju, the root of the issue is linked to the pace of infrastructure development along the border. He accused China of having started road construction and other infrastructure projects long ago, while Congress-led governments adopted a different policy.
Targeting the previous UPA governments, he said, “At that time, the Congress government was in power. The then Defence Minister A.K. Antony stated in Parliament that the government’s policy was not to develop infrastructure on the Indian side, while China continued to build its infrastructure.”
Rijiju claimed that the situation changed after the Modi government took office in 2014. The government has emphasized road and connectivity development in strategically important border areas.
He noted, “PM Modi changed the policy, and now roads are being constructed on our side as well. I personally visited Maja, which is located at the last border point. I met with border force personnel and soldiers there. The road work has been completed. No road had been built along the border since 1947. Under PM Modi’s leadership, we have constructed roads.”
He also mentioned the road connectivity to Taksing. Rijiju stated that there was previously no road to Taksing, but PM Modi initiated road construction there in 2019. While China had built roads on its side and the Chinese army had occupied some high-altitude areas, India is now developing its infrastructure.
Rijiju dismissed claims that China has occupied Indian villages, clarifying that the situation is complicated due to the lack of clear demarcation in some disputed areas.
He explained, “It is not that they have occupied any of our villages. They have set up camp on land where the border is not defined. Our people believe that our territory extends beyond that point, while the locals claim that land as their own.”
Rijiju also mentioned that patrols by the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have been strengthened in sensitive border areas. He referred to a region beyond Longju, where Chinese forces have established structures, an area that has been under Chinese control for decades.
He stated, “The village in question is located in a valley beyond Longju. There, the Chinese PLA (People’s Liberation Army) has built structures resembling villages. This land was occupied in 1959, and China strengthened its hold there in 1962.”
He further noted that patrols by the Indian Army and ITBP have increased along the border. Concerns have risen due to increased Chinese military activity on the ‘spine hill,’ which needs to be taken seriously. There is no movement between India and China in that specific area, but Chinese activities have indeed increased.
In conclusion, Rijiju accused Congress of creating a political narrative around border issues, stating, “It is wrong to spread such narratives by circulating a fake video claiming to be from Bangladesh. This demoralizes our armed forces.”
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