Arunachal Pradesh minister and BJP MLA Balo Raja has stated that India is “very strong,” in response to comments made by ITBP Director General Shatrujeet Singh Kapur regarding ongoing border confrontations with China. Raja urged citizens to watch the film Dhurandhar to appreciate the advancements in India’s intelligence capabilities. His remarks were made during a press conference in Itanagar on Wednesday.

Raja questioned the necessity of such statements from a senior officer, suggesting that they could foster a perception of weakness. He emphasised that India should not be viewed as vulnerable and highlighted the nation’s growing intelligence capabilities as evidence of its strength.

As the minister for Urban Affairs, Land Management, and Civil Aviation in Arunachal Pradesh, Raja’s comments come amid a political discourse surrounding the ITBP’s leadership statements about the ongoing skirmishes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

ITBP Chief’s Confirmation of Ongoing Confrontations

During the Himveer Samman Samaroh, an annual event honouring ITBP personnel held in Alwar, Rajasthan, ITBP Director General Shatrujeet Singh Kapur confirmed that confrontations with Chinese troops are ongoing at multiple locations along the Arunachal Pradesh border. This marked the first official acknowledgment of continuing face-offs in the northeastern region.

Kapur noted that recent incidents had led to confrontations at several sites in Arunachal Pradesh, indicating that these tensions have persisted since July. Reports suggest that Chinese forces have been restricting Indian troops’ access to critical patrolling points along the LAC in the Taksing area.

The situation reportedly continued to escalate during the BRICS Summit held in New Delhi in September, which was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Kapur praised the performance of the ITBP’s newly established Shaurya commandos, who specialise in high-altitude warfare, during these confrontations.

Established in 1962, the ITBP is responsible for guarding the 3,488-km-long LAC with China. Kapur reiterated the importance of the force maintaining its original role as a mountain guerrilla unit assigned to border-guarding duties since 2004.

Political Reactions and Government Clarifications

On October 24, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi expressed concerns regarding the situation along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. He called for a comprehensive clarification from the Narendra Modi-led government regarding reports of Chinese intrusions and restrictions on Indian patrols. Owaisi described the ITBP director general’s confirmation as a serious issue and accused the government of withholding information from the public.

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) addressed the situation following reports of ongoing confrontations attributed to ITBP Director General Kapur. During a briefing, the MEA referred specific questions to the Ministry of Defence and provided an overview of the broader context along the India-China border.

The MEA noted that the situation in border areas can become tense when Chinese forces deviate from established patrolling patterns. Both nations continue to utilise diplomatic and military channels to resolve outstanding issues and prevent misunderstandings along the LAC. The two sides have also agreed to explore ways to improve their understanding of the LAC for better border management, emphasising the need for peace and tranquillity in the region to foster bilateral relations.

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