A new border dispute between India and China has emerged in Arunachal Pradesh, with local political groups alleging that Chinese forces have restricted Indian military access to some patrolling areas and expanded their presence near the disputed frontier.
The allegations centre on Taksing, a remote area in the Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto boundary between Indian- and Chinese-controlled territory. A fact-finding committee set up by the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) has alleged that Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) personnel have prevented Indian forces from accessing some traditional patrolling points and have expanded their control over areas historically used by local communities for grazing and hunting.
Has China actually taken Indian territory?
That remains disputed and has not been conclusively established.
The Indian Army has rejected claims that China has recently occupied Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh. Indian defence officials have described reports of new Chinese encroachment as unsubstantiated, while Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has also said there are no signs of Chinese encroachment and that the Indian Army is effectively patrolling and safeguarding the territory.
At the same time, the PPA fact-finding team maintains that Chinese troops have restricted Indian access to important locations around Taksing. Local organisations have also raised concerns about increased Chinese activity in the region.
The disagreement partly reflects the nature of the India-China border itself. The two countries have never fully demarcated their 3,488-kilometre frontier, and they have different perceptions of where the LAC lies. Consequently, an area that India considers its territory may be regarded by China as being on its side of the disputed boundary.
Why is Arunachal Pradesh disputed?
China claims almost the entire state of Arunachal Pradesh, referring to it as “Zangnan” or “South Tibet.” India rejects China's claim and considers Arunachal Pradesh an integral part of the country.
The dispute has deep historical roots. India and China fought a war in 1962, including major fighting in what is now Arunachal Pradesh. Since then, the border has remained unresolved despite numerous rounds of negotiations.
India says China already occupies territory that New Delhi considers Indian territory elsewhere along the border. India's Ministry of External Affairs has previously stated that China claims approximately 90,000 square kilometres in Arunachal Pradesh.
What is happening around Taksing?
Taksing has become the centre of the latest controversy because of its remote location and strategic importance.
According to the PPA committee, PLA personnel have restricted Indian forces from reaching certain traditional patrolling locations and have increased their presence around areas used by local communities. The committee described the alleged Chinese intrusions as serious and called for greater attention to border security.
However, these findings conflict with statements from Indian military and government officials, who say there has been no confirmed recent loss of Indian territory.
Therefore, claims that China has definitively “taken” new Indian territory should currently be treated with caution.
China’s broader strategy in Arunachal Pradesh
The latest allegations come amid a wider pattern of competition between India and China along the Himalayan frontier.
China has repeatedly objected to India's infrastructure projects and administrative activities in Arunachal Pradesh. Beijing has also issued its own names for places in the state in an effort to reinforce its territorial claim.
India recently responded by formally standardising the names of 27 locations and geographical features in Arunachal Pradesh on official Survey of India maps. China criticised the move, arguing that it would complicate the border negotiations. India rejected China's position and reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India.
Satellite imagery has also shown China developing roads and other infrastructure in areas close to the disputed frontier. Some of these developments are inside territory China already controls, while the exact status of some structures is difficult to establish because the border has never been formally demarcated.
Why is this becoming a political issue in India?
The allegations have triggered criticism of the Indian government, particularly from opposition figures.
Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi recently accused China of preventing Indian troops from patrolling some areas of Arunachal Pradesh and questioned the government's response. The Indian government, however, rejected the suggestion that China had made unauthorized inroads into Indian territory.
The controversy is especially sensitive because India and China have been trying to stabilise relations following years of military tensions.
Both countries experienced a major confrontation in 2020, when troops clashed in Ladakh, resulting in deaths on both sides. A subsequent military buildup along the frontier severely damaged bilateral relations. India and China later reached a disengagement arrangement in 2024, helping reduce some of the tensions.
Why does this matter now?
The timing is particularly important because India and China are attempting to improve their relationship. Indian officials have repeatedly stressed that peace and tranquillity along the border are essential for broader improvement in bilateral relations.
The latest Arunachal Pradesh allegations could therefore complicate that effort.
There is also a major diplomatic event approaching: India is scheduled to host the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, with Chinese President Xi Jinping expected to attend. The renewed border controversy could become an important issue in the background of the meeting.
So, is China encroaching on Indian territory?
The most accurate answer is:
There are credible local allegations of increased Chinese military activity and restricted Indian access to some areas in Arunachal Pradesh, particularly around Taksing. However, the claim that China has recently captured or permanently occupied new Indian territory has not been independently established and is explicitly denied by the Indian Army and Arunachal Pradesh's government.
The underlying territorial dispute, however, is real and longstanding. China claims Arunachal Pradesh, while India exercises administration over the state and considers it an integral part of India. Because the India-China boundary remains disputed and the LAC is not mutually demarcated, disagreements over patrols, roads, grazing areas and military positions can quickly become major diplomatic and security issues.
For now, the key question is not simply whether Chinese soldiers have “taken Indian land”, but whether China is gradually changing the ground situation by restricting Indian access and strengthening its physical presence in disputed areas. That is the allegation that is currently generating the most concern in Arunachal Pradesh.