Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Engages in diplomatic exchange with Chinese Soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju visited an Indian Army post near Tawang on Diwali, where he interacted with soldiers of China's People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In a video shared on X, Rijiju is seen speaking to three PLA soldiers through an interpreter. He asked them how they were managing while serving at such a high altitude, around 15,000 feet above sea level. The Chinese soldiers responded that they were comfortable and had no issues in that environment.

Rijiju, who is from Arunachal Pradesh, also spent time with Indian Army soldiers, celebrating Diwali with them. He expressed solidarity with the troops by saying, "Since you are far away from home during Diwali, we have also decided to be away from home and spend time with you." He later shared his thoughts on X, noting that after talking with the Chinese soldiers and observing the infrastructure, he felt proud of India’s border development.

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Progress in India-China relations

This interaction comes shortly after India announced an agreement with China about patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. This agreement marks a significant step in resolving the military standoff that has lasted over four years. The announcement followed a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the recent BRICS summit in Russia.

On Diwali, Indian and Chinese troops also exchanged sweets at several border points along the LAC. This gesture, a traditional practice, coincided with the completion of disengagement at two friction points in eastern Ladakh's Demchok and Depsang Plains. 

Relations between India and China have been tense since April 2020 due to aggressive actions by Chinese troops along the LAC, culminating in a deadly clash in June 2020 in the Galwan Valley, where 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives.