PM Modi breaks silence on China’s territorial claims on Arunachal, says the state will always be part of Bharat

Prime minister Narendra Modi has dismissed China’s territorial claims on Arunachal Pradesh and said “the state was, is, and will always remain part of Bharat”.

In an interview to Assam Tribune on Sunday, PM Modi asserted, "Arunachal Pradesh is, was and shall always be an integral part of India and will always remain so.”

He also spoke about Manipur violence and claimed that the Centre's proactive approach in collaboration with the efforts of the state government, and swift deployment of its best resources remarkably improved the situation in the state.

While commenting on the security of Arunachal Pradesh and the measures being implemented to uphold its integration with India, PM Modi reassured, saying, "Arunachal Pradesh has, does, and will always remain an inseparable part of India. Presently, development initiatives are swiftly reaching Arunachal and the Northeast, akin to the swift arrival of the morning sun, at an unprecedented pace.”

PM’s comments come at a crucial time as China has been claiming several parts of the state many a times and has also renamed number of places. The Opposition too has been slamming the Centre over this.

Talking about ethnic clashes in Manipur, the PM highlighted the Centre’s and state’s efforts to stabilize the situation in the state.

Violence in Manipur began in May 2023 because of tensions surrounding the demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status by the Meitei population and concerns among tribal groups, such as the Kukis and Nagas regarding land rights and immigration issues.

He further credited Home Minister Amit Shah’s role in facilitating peace talks in the state.

"During the height of the conflict, Home Minister Amit Shah remained in Manipur, conducting over 15 meetings with different stakeholders aimed at resolving the situation," he said.

PM Modi also noted that relief and rehabilitation efforts are actively underway in the state. This includes the provision of financial packages for those residing in shelter camps within the state.

In the interview, the PM also addressed the border infiltration issue in Mizoram. He said the influx of Myanmar nationals to India has increased of late because of the neighbouring nation's internal matters.

He also elaborated on the steps taken by the Centre in tackling the issue.

"To enhance border security and prevent infiltration, the Centre has implemented several measures. These include discontinuing the Free Movement Regime with Myanmar, bolstering the presence of Border Guarding Forces along the Indo-Myanmar border, fostering close collaboration among security agencies, and initiating fencing construction in feasible areas along the border," noted the Prime Minister.

"The Central government has encouraged the state to conduct a campaign for gathering biometric data of illegal migrants and has provided support and devices to facilitate this," said the PM. "Policy adjustments are being made to align with evolving ground realities".

Additionally, he added, there has been a 71 percent plunge in insurgency in the area.

He noted that 9,500 insurgents have surrendered since 2014 and integrated into the mainstream, showcasing a substantial step towards peace and development in the region.