Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday informed the Assembly that the state has registered an overall net territorial gain along the interstate boundary with Assam post signing of the Namsai Declaration and the subsequent boundary settlement process.
“The finalized settlement covering eight districts reflects a clear gain in territory for the state,” Khandu said.
The Namsai Declaration, signed on July 15, 2022, by the chief ministers of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, marked a major step toward resolving the long-running boundary dispute between the two Northeastern states.
The agreement initially aimed to address disputes involving 123 villages along the interstate boundary, which was later reduced to 86 villages following negotiations and joint verification exercises.
The chief minister further clarified that the Arunachal Pradesh government has not surrendered any land or forest area to Assam, emphasizing that the settlement process was carried out through structured dialogue, joint verification by regional committees of both states, and mutual agreement under the Namsai Declaration and the subsequent MoU.
Replying to a written question from BJP MLA Wanglin Lowangdong, the chief minister informed that the process of surveying and demarcating the interstate boundary between Arunachal Pradesh and Assam has begun in a phased manner.
Khandu said the erection of boundary pillars was already underway as part of efforts to resolve the decades-old dispute between the two states.
The Pakke-Kessang district has been selected as the first district for installing boundary pillars. The demarcation work began on February 9 this year, and the first pillar was successfully erected on February 27,” he informed the House.
The chief minister also said that issues related to the Tirap sector have already been resolved under the Assam–Arunachal Pradesh MoU 2023 signed between the two state governments on April 20, 2023.
He further informed the Assembly that issues relating to the remaining districts—Kamle, Papum Pare, Lower Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, and Longding—will be taken up through regional committees constituted by the two states.
“These committees are conducting joint field verification and ground inspections to assess competing claims based on historical documents, administrative control, traditional usage, and prevailing ground realities,” he said.
Reiterating the state government’s position, Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh remains committed to protecting its territorial and traditional claims through constitutional processes, consultations, and lawful mechanisms.
