Shillong, June 4: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday strongly dismissed China's repeated territorial claims over the state, describing them as routine assertions that carry no significance for the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
Speaking during a visit to Shillong, Khandu said the state remains unfazed by Beijing’s attempts to rename places within Arunachal Pradesh, calling it a recurring practice. “This is nothing new for us. We do not take such claims seriously,” he remarked.
Addressing border security concerns, Khandu asserted that Arunachal Pradesh shares its border with Tibet and emphasized that the region is now far more secure and developed than in the past. He said comparisons with the 1962 era are misleading, pointing to major infrastructure improvements under the Narendra Modi-led government over the past 12 years.
According to the Chief Minister, enhanced road connectivity and rapid development of strategic infrastructure have significantly improved accessibility across India's northern border regions, strengthening support for the armed forces.
Khandu also highlighted the role of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in accelerating regional development and leveraging the Northeast’s strengths to contribute to the vision of a developed India. He noted that Arunachal Pradesh has emerged as a major destination for hydropower investment, with projects worth nearly ₹2 lakh crore currently underway.
The Chief Minister said the state plans further to expand its hydropower sector in the coming years, building on the momentum created through NEC initiatives and increased investment.
On China’s recent renaming of locations in Arunachal Pradesh, Khandu reiterated that such actions do not alter the ground reality. He has consistently maintained that historical records, including the 1914 Shimla Convention, do not support China's claims over the region and has emphasized that Arunachal Pradesh remains an integral part of India.
