In a powerful and pointed message to Beijing, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has reignited the historical debate over the region’s international boundaries. Speaking recently during a series of public engagements and interviews, CM Khandu insisted that the state’s 1,200-kilometre Arunachal Pradesh shares a border with Tibet, as Beijing repeatedly claims, but with what was once the sovereign nation of Tibet.
“Our border is with Tibet, not with China,” Khandu stated firmly, referring to the long-contested McMahon Line, which was drawn up between British India and Tibet in 1914. His comments strike at the heart of China’s claim over Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers to as “South Tibet.”
🚨 BIG STATEMENT by Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu
“None of the Indian states directly share BORDER with China.”
“We share border with Tibet only.”
“In 1950, China forcefully occupied Tibet. Officially, Tibet is under China, but originally, we share border with Tibet.” pic.twitter.com/cpNAN3pp12
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) July 9, 2025
Although Tibet is now under Chinese control, Khandu’s message was clear: historically, Arunachal never shared a border with China, but with an independent Tibet. This distinction, he argued, is not just political—it reflects centuries of cultural and spiritual ties between the people of Arunachal and Tibet, especially through Buddhism and shared monastic traditions.
Khandu’s remarks come at a time of heightened tensions along the India-China border and are being viewed as a rare and bold challenge to China’s territorial assertions.
Rebuking Beijing’s “Renaming” Game
This is not the first time Pema Khandu has pushed back against Chinese interference. In recent months, China has once again attempted to rename places within Arunachal Pradesh—marking the fifth such move in recent years. According to Khandu, this renaming effort is part of Beijing’s propaganda strategy to assert legitimacy over territory that does not belong to it.
Khandu dismissed the move as “meaningless,” and praised India’s Ministry of External Affairs for issuing strong rebuttals. “They keep trying to rename our towns and villages, but no one in Arunachal accepts those names. We know who we are,” he said.
Locals in the state echoed this sentiment, with many residents viewing China’s actions as a desperate attempt to rewrite history. “We have our own names, our own identity, and we don’t need approval from Beijing,” said one resident of Tawang, a culturally significant town near the border.
A Warning Over China’s Mega-Dam Project
In a separate but equally urgent statement, the Chief Minister warned that China’s ongoing construction of a massive hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river (which becomes the Brahmaputra in India) could have catastrophic consequences.
Describing the project as a “ticking water bomb,” Khandu expressed concern that the dam threatens the ecological balance and livelihoods of millions of people in downstream Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
“This is not just about water. It’s about security, stability, and survival,” he said. “If that dam breaks or if water flow is manipulated, the damage could be unimaginable.”
China has so far offered little transparency about the project, and Indian authorities have reportedly been monitoring developments closely. Experts believe the dam may become a serious point of contention in the already fragile relationship between the two Asian giants.
Dalai Lama’s Successor “Will Be Born in a Free World”
In an emotional and deeply spiritual moment during the 90th birthday celebrations of the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, Khandu made it clear that China has “no role whatsoever” in selecting the Tibetan spiritual leader’s successor.
“The next Dalai Lama will be born in a free world,” Khandu said. “This decision belongs to the Tibetan people and their religious traditions—not to a political power.”
His remarks were widely welcomed by the Tibetan exile community and human rights activists, many of whom fear that China may attempt to install its own Dalai Lama to control Tibetan Buddhism from within.
Khandu, himself a devout Buddhist, highlighted the deep-rooted reverence for the Dalai Lama across Arunachal Pradesh and much of the Himalayan belt. He said the people of his state “stand united” with the Tibetan cause and will continue to support religious freedom and the preservation of Tibetan identity.
Arunachal Pradesh shares a border with Tibet
The Chief Minister’s series of statements marks a notable shift in tone from Indian political leaders, who have historically been cautious when addressing Tibet due to the sensitivities of India-China relations. Khandu’s public positioning appears to signal a more assertive stance—one that defends India’s borders while affirming Arunachal Pradesh’s unique cultural heritage and historical context.
As tensions with China continue to simmer, these words from the easternmost edge of India carry significant weight. They reflect not just a political argument, but a deeply personal and historical truth shared by the people of the region. In Khandu’s words, “Our land, our faith, and our history cannot be altered by a map or a microphone in Beijing.”