ITBP Chief's Arunachal Remark Triggers Political Row

Congress accuses government of suppressing border reports

On Friday, the Congress accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government of suppressing reports of skirmishes along the border since July.

The Indian military and the Union government had not commented on the reports at the time.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the government of being silent on this grave issue and criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making concessions to China.

The Opposition said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen joking around with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in September instead of taking action.

The party added that Modi has abandoned soldiers, betrayed the country, and shirked his responsibility, calling the prime minister weak.

Government and military maintain border situation is stable

There was no immediate reaction from government officials or the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party regarding the ITBP chief's remarks.

Sources say the ITBP chief's statement on China was made in the context of routine force deployment and preparedness along the India-China border, not in reference to any specific incident.

Raja Subramani said the border situation is stable and there is no cause for concern, speaking at the NDTV Defence Summit last month.

Subramani noted the recent meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said dialogue is the best methodology for defending and ensuring peace.

He added that contacts at the ground level and Border Personnel Meetings are ongoing and he does not see instability.

In August, foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that border affairs have ramifications for India-China ties and that both sides agreed to use diplomatic and military mechanisms to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation.

Reports of border standoffs emerge since July

Reports of confrontations between Indian and Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh emerged in July. These include a standoff in the Taksin area of Upper Subansiri district.

An unidentified official told The Hindu that Indian and Chinese troops came face-to-face near Maja during routine patrolling in July. After a brief confrontation, the Chinese PLA returned in larger numbers and pitched tents 6-7 km within India's perception of the Line of Actual Control.

The two countries have held three rounds of high-level border talks since July, according to The Hindu.

ITBP raises Shaurya commandos for border defense

The ITBP has raised a new combat team called the Shaurya commandos to be placed in every border battalion. These commandos displayed their skills during the ongoing face-offs with Chinese troops at multiple places in Arunachal Pradesh.

PTI reported that ITBP Chief Shatrujeet Kapur said the force is stepping up preparations for modern warfare with drones and new underground shelters.

Kapur informed troops of a new course named 'Strike' to train personnel for Galwan-like situations. The entire force will complete this training by the end of 2027.

Kapur identifies China as India's primary adversary

Kapur said the China front is India's "most difficult" border and requires enhanced capabilities to "counter" it. He described China as a "powerful" neighbour and India's "biggest adversary".

Kapur stated drones are a major challenge and opportunity because it is difficult to compete with China using traditional methods. He noted that China has modernized and invested heavily in its PLA, while drones allow a smaller country to contest a larger nation.

He stated that the role of traditional armies has changed and India must embrace drone and anti-drone systems. Kapur recalled that Chinese soldiers used stones, nail-studded sticks, iron rods and clubs during the June 2020 Galwan attack, which resulted in 20 Indian casualties. China claimed four of its troops died, though multiple reports suggested Chinese fatalities were much higher.

Diplomatic context of India-China relations

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India for the BRICS Summit on September 12-13, 2026, to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi. This visit occurred between September 11 and September 13.

Jaishankar said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Delhi on October 23, 2026, that peace and tranquillity are essential to normalize India-China relations. He stated that any disturbance would have consequences.

Jaishankar noted that the relationship is better today compared to 2025 and 2024. He also stated at an Asia Society event in New York in late September that ties were better than a couple of years ago.

Relations have experienced a thaw since 2024 following years of tensions over a military standoff in Ladakh. The Ministry of External Affairs warned in August that the state of border affairs will affect bilateral relations. The ministry also stated that maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control is of “utmost importance”.

Historical background and territorial claims

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police was raised in 1962 and guards the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control with China. Kapur noted that the force began as a mountain guerrilla force and has been guarding the border since 2004.

India and China reached an understanding in October 2024 to end a military standoff in Ladakh that lasted more than four years. In June, The Arunachal Times reported that the Nah Welfare Society alleged Chinese soldiers were occupying areas near the Line of Actual Control. The society claimed these soldiers were building roads and military camps while taking over grazing grounds.

China has long sought to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh, calling the region “South Tibet” or Zangnan. Beijing lays territorial claims over a large portion of the state, which India rejects.

BJP functionaries accused the Congress party of politicizing national security and claimed that Jawaharlal Nehru ceded ground to China. Kapur recently advised troops in Alwar to avoid alcohol and “honey trapping” on social media. He warned that adversaries monitor their accounts and that sharing photos can provide sensitive information.