Recent incidents involving Indian citizens detained in China have underlined renewed friction over Arunachal Pradesh despite disengagement in Ladakh.
BY PC Bureau
December 25, 2025: Even as guns have fallen silent along parts of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, a far more consequential challenge may be taking shape on India’s eastern flank. A recent US Pentagon report has warned that China has elevated its territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh to the level of its “core interests,” placing the Indian state in the same strategic bracket as Taiwan and disputed regions of the South China Sea.
The report, submitted to the US Congress, suggests that Arunachal Pradesh could emerge as a major flashpoint in India–China relations in the coming years. It notes that Beijing views its claims over Arunachal, Taiwan, and key maritime zones as central to achieving the “great rejuvenation” of the Chinese nation by 2049.
According to the Pentagon, this long-term objective is tied to China’s ambition to project power globally and build a “world-class military” capable of conducting “fight and win” operations across multiple theatres.
India has repeatedly and unequivocally rejected China’s claims, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh “was, is, and will always be” an inseparable part of Indian territory.
Renewed friction over Arunachal
While New Delhi and Beijing reached an understanding last year to disengage troops along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, tensions around Arunachal Pradesh have resurfaced after a brief lull.
Last month, Prema Thongdok, an Indian citizen travelling from London to Japan, was detained for nearly 18 hours during a layover in Shanghai. According to Thongdok, Chinese authorities questioned the validity of her passport because it listed her birthplace as Arunachal Pradesh. She said she was denied food and basic facilities before being allowed to continue her journey following intervention by the Indian consulate in Shanghai.
Earlier this week, a YouTuber was also reportedly detained in China after stating in a video that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India.
Pentagon’s report to US Congress says it sees India’s Arunachal Pradesh as it’s ‘core interest’ pic.twitter.com/O7fVqj0dW6
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) December 24, 2025
China refers to Arunachal Pradesh as southern Tibet, or Zangnan, and bases its claim on its rejection of the 1914 McMahon Line, which was negotiated between British India and then-independent Tibet. While Beijing initially focused its claim on the strategically sensitive Tawang region, it has since expanded it to cover the entire state, periodically releasing lists of new Chinese names for towns and geographical features to reinforce its position.
A former Indian diplomat said the US acknowledgment of China’s actions in Arunachal marked a significant shift.
“Washington has previously been vocal about developments in Ladakh but largely silent on Arunachal Pradesh. The fact that it is now taking note of these tactics indicates a growing recognition of the pressure China exerts on India in this region,” Mahesh Sachdev told ANI.
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The China–Pakistan dimension
The Pentagon report also cautioned India against viewing the relative calm along the LAC as a lasting thaw. Instead, it described China’s approach as a dual strategy—maintaining tactical restraint on the India border while applying sustained military pressure through its close ally, Pakistan.
This dynamic was evident during Operation Sindoor, the report said, when Pakistan relied heavily on Chinese-made weapons and air defence systems. While the effectiveness of those systems was debated, the episode highlighted the depth of strategic and military coordination between Beijing and Islamabad.
The report added that by easing tensions with India along the LAC, China may also be seeking to stabilise bilateral ties just enough to prevent New Delhi from drawing closer to Washington, even as it continues to exert influence through other regional levers.
