The Indian-Tibetan Border Police Director General Shatrujeet Singh Kapur has confirmed that face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops in several locations in Arunachal Pradesh, including Taksing, are still ongoing. These confrontations were also happening during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Delhi for BRICS.
According to a report by The Hindu, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Director General Shatrujeet Singh Kapur stated at an event in Alwar, Rajasthan, that face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops have been taking place at several locations along the Arunachal Pradesh border. This confirmation comes after reports of a stand-off between the two countries' soldiers near Taksing in July.
The report also mentioned an incident where Indian and Chinese troops came face to face near Maja in a brief confrontation, as per an unidentified official. However, at that time, the Indian military and the Union government had not commented on the reports.
In addition, the Ministry of External Affairs has stated that maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control is of 'utmost importance' and warned that the 'state of the border affairs' will affect bilateral relations in general. It was also noted that China has for long sought to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh, claiming that it is 'South Tibet'. India has rejected China’s claims.
The report further stated that the two countries have held three rounds of high-level border talks since July. The Indian government, however, has not officially confirmed allegations by the Nah Welfare Society in June that Chinese soldiers were occupying areas near the Line of Actual Control, building roads and military camps, and taking over grazing grounds.
In response to Kapur's remarks, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during the ministry's weekly media briefing that New Delhi and Beijing continue to use 'existing diplomatic and military mechanisms' to resolve outstanding issues and 'avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation along the Line of Actual Control'. He added that the two sides have agreed to discuss ways to 'improve understanding of LAC in appropriate areas' for better border management.
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