Arunachal Pradesh, Assam renew talks on Lower Dibang-Tinsukia border dispute

Arunachal Pradesh and Assam regional committees met in Roing over disputed border stretches. The dialogue seeks a consensual settlement while protecting communities on both sides.

In Short

• Ministers Ojing Tasing and Atul Bora co-chaired the meeting in Roing
• Both governments pledged to protect adjoining communities' legitimate rights and aspirations
• Leaders stressed historical, cultural and social ties between neighbouring states

The governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam held a Regional Committee meeting on Monday to discuss their longstanding inter-state boundary dispute, officials told news agency Press Trust of India.

The talks focused on the disputed boundary between Arunachal Pradesh's Lower Dibang Valley district and Assam's adjoining Tinsukia district. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to finding an amicable and mutually acceptable solution through dialogue and consensus.

The meeting was held in Roing in Arunachal Pradesh's Lower Dibang Valley district and was co-chaired by Ojing Tasing, chairman of the Arunachal Pradesh Regional Committee, and his Assam counterpart Atul Bora. Both are ministers in their respective states. Several other ministers and officials also attended the meeting, PTI reported.

In a post on X after the meeting, Tasing said the discussions focused on resolving outstanding boundary differences while safeguarding the legitimate rights, interests and aspirations of communities living in adjoining areas of the two states.

He said the talks highlighted the importance of constructive engagement, mutual understanding and consensus in resolving the dispute, while ensuring that the interests of people on both sides were protected.

Tasing said both sides emphasised that Arunachal Pradesh and Assam share deep historical, cultural and social ties. They agreed that boundary differences should not affect the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the neighbouring states.

The two states have been holding talks through Regional Committees as part of efforts to resolve their boundary differences. The Namsai Declaration, signed by the chief ministers of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on July 15, 2022, sought to reduce the number of disputed border villages from 123 to 86 and set up Regional Committees for joint verification and resolution.

The declaration provided a framework for sustained dialogue, mutual understanding and consensus-based negotiations aimed at reaching an amicable settlement.

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km border, parts of which are disputed. Arunachal Pradesh maintains that during the reorganisation of northeastern states, several forested areas in the plains that had traditionally belonged to hill tribal chiefs and communities were unilaterally transferred to Assam.

After Arunachal Pradesh became a state in 1987, a committee representing three parties recommended that certain territories be transferred from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh. Assam challenged the recommendation, and the matter is pending before the Supreme Court.

The two northeastern states are now trying to settle the dispute outside court through Regional Committee meetings, with the latest talks again focusing on dialogue, consensus and the protection of communities on both sides.

- Ends