Border chief’s account raises doubts over India-China diplomatic thaw

India’s border police chief said Chinese troops had erected tents six to seven kilometres beyond India’s understanding of the disputed frontier in Arunachal Pradesh, according to the BBC’s October 28, 2026 report. Shatrujeet Singh Kapur said confrontations began in July and continued after an initial withdrawal by both sides, prompting political controversy in Delhi.

India’s foreign ministry said departures from established Chinese patrol patterns periodically disturbed border conditions and that military and diplomatic discussions were continuing. China said its activities complied with bilateral agreements. The competing accounts followed efforts to improve relations after the deadly 2020 Galwan clashes, including a 2024 agreement to ease tensions and moves to restore flights and relax visa restrictions.

The dispute also affects livelihoods along the frontier. Arunachal Times journalist Tongam Rina told the BBC that some villagers reported losing access to grazing grounds because of alleged Chinese encroachment. She described insecurity among residents and uncertainty about when they could return to areas used for hunting and yak rearing.