Congress’s Kharge seeks answers on reported Chinese activity in Arunachal Pradesh

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday (August 14, 2026) demanded answers from the Narendra Modi government over media reports of an alleged expansion of Chinese presence in sensitive areas of Arunachal Pradesh. In a post on social media platform X, Mr. Kharge asked whether the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had increased its presence near Taksing and whether Indian forces had lost regular access to Shera-5, a designated patrolling point.

“After Galwan, now Arunachal Pradesh?” Mr. Kharge said, describing the reports as disturbing. He questioned why Indian patrolling was reportedly limited during winter in the sensitive sector while the PLA maintained a year-round presence. He also sought an explanation for reports that traditional grazing and hunting grounds were becoming inaccessible to local communities.

The Congress president further asked about the status of the India-China disengagement process in eastern Ladakh, specifically whether the pre-May 2020 status quo ante had been fully restored. He accused the BJP government of hiding facts about the ground situation and demanded to know whether India retained full access to all areas and patrolling points that its forces had accessed before May 2020.

Mr. Kharge referenced the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed, asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave China a “clean chit” at the time, which emboldened further transgressions. He said the government’s record on the issue “inspires no confidence” and called on the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister, and the Home Minister to answer the questions raised.

Despite his criticism, Mr. Kharge expressed “complete faith” in the courage and capability of the Indian Armed Forces. “India stands firmly behind our soldiers and united against any Chinese aggression,” he said.

The statements come amid ongoing border tensions between India and China, which have been in diplomatic and military negotiations to resolve the standoff in eastern Ladakh since 2020. The government has not yet issued a public response to Mr. Kharge’s queries. The Congress party has consistently raised concerns about border security and has asked for a detailed parliamentary discussion on the matter.

Arunachal Pradesh, which India considers an integral part of its territory, has been a point of contention with China, which claims the region as part of its own territory. The Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the area has seen periodic standoffs and infrastructure building by both sides. The reports of increased Chinese activity near Taksing, if confirmed, could mark a significant development in the ongoing border dispute.

Analysts note that patrolling challenges in the high-altitude terrain are often seasonal, with extreme winter conditions limiting movement. However, the alleged year-round presence of PLA patrols raises questions about the symmetry of operational capabilities and the effectiveness of existing border management agreements.

Mr. Kharge’s remarks also underscore the political sensitivity of border issues in India, where national security is a major concern for voters. Opposition parties have frequently criticized the government for handling of border disputes, while the government has maintained that it is committed to protecting territorial integrity and has resolved several issues through diplomatic channels.

As of this report, there has been no official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs or the Defence Ministry regarding the specific allegations raised by Mr. Kharge. The Indian Army, which normally provides updates on border situations, has also remained silent, pending perhaps a formal response.