We Do Not Give a Damn": Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu Dismisses China's Fresh Territorial Claims

Speaking on the sidelines of the 73rd plenary session of the North Eastern Council in Shillong on Wednesday, Khandu responded sharply to China's renewed efforts to reinforce its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing refers to as "Zangnan" or South Tibet. The Chinese government has repeatedly released lists assigning Chinese names to villages, rivers, mountain passes and other geographical features within Arunachal Pradesh, a move that India has consistently rejected.

Emphasising that such actions have little relevance on the ground, Khandu said, "China claiming Arunachal Pradesh is not a new thing for us, and we do not give a damn about it. We do not take it seriously."

His remarks underscored a broader message that, in the view of the state leadership, the situation has changed significantly from the past. "This is not 1962 anymore," was the message emerging from Shillong as Arunachal Pradesh continues to focus on development and infrastructure expansion rather than external claims.

Reiterating the state's position on the border issue, Khandu said, "We do not share a border with China. We share a border with Tibet."

The Chief Minister stressed that the government's priority remains economic growth and infrastructure development across the frontier state. He highlighted the scale of ongoing investments, stating that projects worth nearly Rs 2 lakh crore are currently underway in the power sector alone, with multiple major initiatives progressing through different stages of implementation.

According to Khandu, areas that were once considered among the most remote regions of the country are now witnessing rapid transformation through the construction of roads, tunnels, bridges and improved communication infrastructure. These projects are aimed at strengthening connectivity and accelerating development in border regions.

For years, one of China's key strategic advantages along the frontier was its extensive investment in roads, rail networks and logistics infrastructure in Tibet. However, India has significantly accelerated infrastructure development in Arunachal Pradesh and other Himalayan states in recent years, substantially improving connectivity and accessibility in sensitive border areas.

Khandu said his government would continue to follow the Central Government's approach of strengthening frontier regions through sustained infrastructure development and strategic investment.

Even as Beijing continues issuing fresh lists of what it describes as "standardised names" for locations within Arunachal Pradesh, New Delhi maintains that such measures cannot alter sovereignty or change realities on the ground. India has consistently rejected China's territorial claims and renaming exercises, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh remains an integral and inseparable part of the country.

The latest remarks from Khandu highlight a growing confidence within Arunachal Pradesh's political leadership, which views development, connectivity and economic progress as far more consequential than repeated territorial claims from Beijing. As India continues expanding infrastructure and investment in the frontier state, the dispute remains a visible point of friction in the broader India-China relationship, but one that Arunachal Pradesh's leadership appears increasingly unwilling to treat as a serious concern.

Meta Description: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has dismissed China's renewed claims over the state as meaningless, asserting that development and infrastructure growth remain the government's priority. Speaking in Shillong, he highlighted major investments in power, roads, tunnels and border connectivity while reaffirming India's position on sovereignty.