Border Face-Offs Continue in Arunachal as ITBP Chief Warns of Modern Warfare Needs

Confrontations between Indian and Chinese troops continue at multiple sites along the border in Arunachal Pradesh, according to Indo-Tibetan Border Police director general Shatrujeet Kapur. Speaking on Thursday at the Himveer Samman Samaroah in Alwar, Rajasthan, Mr. Kapur confirmed that a tense situation arose in the past few days and still continues.

Stand-Off Details

Government sources indicate that India and China have been engaged in a stand-off near Taksing since late July. Chinese troops pitched tents at an elevation within six to seven kilometres of India's perception of the Line of Actual Control near the Maja company operating base in the Upper Subansiri district. This persistence comes despite several diplomatic and military talks, including the 36th WMCC meeting on August 6, the 25th round of Special Representatives talks on August 26 involving National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and the first-ever Corps Commander-level meeting in the Eastern Sector on September 6. Chinese President Xi Jinping also attended the BRICS Summit hosted by India in September.

Modernisation and Drones

Mr. Kapur stated that ITBP weapons are fifty years old and require modernisation. He noted that traditional methods are insufficient to face China due to its heavy investments in weapons and infrastructure. The ITBP spent seventy percent of a four hundred crore rupee modernisation fund on drones, established drone platoons in all border guarding battalions, and earmarked one thousand crore rupees from another scheme for drones. Furthermore, the force plans to build underground shelters equal in number to overground structures over the next three years to protect troops in war situations.

Context

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police guards India's border with China in high-altitude mountain regions. Border management in these areas involves complex coordination between military and paramilitary forces alongside continuous diplomatic talks.