Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that China had stopped Indian troops from patrolling certain areas of Arunachal Pradesh, claiming that he was receiving information directly from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office.
His remarks came days after government and defence officials dismissed reports of fresh Chinese encroachment in Arunachal Pradesh as unsubstantiated. The Indian Army had described reports of Chinese camps and new encroachment in the Taksing region as “incorrect and without any basis”, while Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said Indian forces were actively patrolling and protecting the state’s territory.
Speaking at the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention, Rahul Gandhi claimed there was an “internal revolt” within the government over the China border issue. He alleged that Chinese forces had prevented Indian troops from entering areas where they had traditionally conducted patrols.
“I receive information directly from Modi ji's office these days; there is a full-blown revolt going on inside. In our patrolling areas -- specifically in Arunachal -- China blocked us from patrolling. They essentially said, ‘Look, all that is fine -- it is indeed your land -- but you cannot patrol here’,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi did not provide details about the specific location or timing of the alleged incident. His comments came amid renewed reports and political allegations regarding Chinese activity around Taksing in Upper Subansiri district.
The People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) had earlier claimed that its fact-finding committee found reports of Chinese intrusions in the Taksing region “inexplicable yet irrefutable”. Government and Army authorities, however, have rejected the allegations.
Rahul Gandhi also accused Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah of being “completely deflated” over the border situation. He alleged that the government was attempting to stop the media from reporting on the issue.
“They are calling up all the media editors, telling them, ‘Don't publish this in your newspapers; suppress the story’,” he claimed.
He further alleged that the government’s approach was causing “direct harm to the country” and had damaged India’s foreign policy.
“So, internally, they have destroyed the country; they have wrecked our foreign policy. And they did all of this solely to finance their political structure, to secure funds from Adani ji,” he alleged.
RAHUL GANDHI REFERS TO GALWAN CLASH
The Leader of Opposition also invoked the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and criticised Prime Minister Modi’s statement following the confrontation that no Indian territory had been lost.
“After the Galwan incident, the Prime Minister held a meeting -- a Zoom call. He stated that China hadn't taken a single inch of Indian territory. The Army said that our land had been taken,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi argued that the statement had weakened India’s position during negotiations with China.
“Chinese negotiators asked our negotiators, ‘What nonsense are you talking about? Your own Prime Minister said no land was lost’,” he said.
The 2020 Galwan clash resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese troops, according to official figures. India and China subsequently engaged in extended military and diplomatic negotiations before reaching a disengagement agreement in 2024.
WHAT THE ARUNACHAL GOVERNMENT AND ARMY SAID
The controversy emerged in June after the Nah Welfare Society, a local community organisation in Taksing, alleged that Chinese forces had expanded their presence near the border and occupied areas traditionally used by local communities.
The organisation claimed Chinese forces had constructed roads, bridges and military camps around Oying, Paniar, Marpan, Portrang Lake and Tingdingtang. It also alleged that Chinese activities in the region had increased over the previous 10 to 15 years.
The Indian Army rejected reports of new Chinese encroachment and camp construction, describing them as “incorrect and without any basis”.
Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung also dismissed the allegations in July as “lies and social media rumours”, asserting that Indian troops were maintaining round-the-clock security along the border.
China has long claimed Arunachal Pradesh as part of what it refers to as “Zangnan” or southern Tibet. India rejects the claim and maintains that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of the country.
CONGRESS DEMANDS PM'S STATEMENT ON BORDER ISSUE
The Congress said it was “deeply alarmed and gravely concerned” by reports that China had allegedly prevented India from accessing historically used patrolling points near Taksing along the Line of Actual Control.
The party said indigenous communities had raised the issue in June and alleged that the situation had been further complicated by China’s construction of 628 Xiaokang, or “well-off”, villages along India’s borders. It cited remarks made by Deputy Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai in March.
The Congress warned that failing to firmly respond to China could have “serious long-term strategic consequences in Asia” and undermine India’s international standing.
“The Prime Minister must prioritise India's national security over the pursuit of personal political capital and performative diplomacy,” the party said.
It demanded that Prime Minister Modi address the nation on the issue and raise the border situation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is expected to visit India next month.
The Congress also called for a multi-party delegation to visit the region and assess the situation on the ground.
