(a) whether India’s border with Arunachal Pradesh is disputed by China and if so, the details thereof along with the total number of meetings held between the two countries to resolve this dispute;
(b) whether any agreement has been arrived at between the two countries on the border issue;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V.K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) to (c) China disputes the international boundary between India and China. In the Eastern Sector, China claims approximately 90,000 square kilometers of Indian territory in the State of Arunachal Pradesh. The fact that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India has been clearly conveyed to the Chinese side on several occasions, including at the highest level.
In recent years, following agreements related to India-China border have been signed between the two countries:
1. Agreement on the maintenance of Peace and Tranquility along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas, signed in September 1993.
2. Agreement on Confidence Building Measures in the military field along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas, signed in November 1996.
3. Protocol on modalities for the implementation of Confidence Building Measures in the military field along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas, signed in April 2005.
4. Agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question, signed in April 2005.
5. Agreement on the establishment of Working Mechanism on Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs, signed in Jan 2012.
6. Border Defence Cooperation Agreement, signed in October 2013.
These Agreements lay down the political parameters and guiding principles for settling the India-China boundary question, institute confidence building measures to facilitate contacts and enhance understanding and cooperation between the border defence forces as well as provide procedures to be followed where there is no common understanding of the Line of Actual Control.
The two sides have agreed to appoint a Special Representative (SR) each, to explore the framework for a boundary settlement from the political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship. There have been seventeen meetings of SRs so far, last one in New Delhi on February 10-11, 2014. The two sides agree that peace and tranquility on the border is the basis for the continued expansion of India-China relations.
(d) Does not arise.