Assam Minister and AGP president Atul Bora said Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will intensify discussions to resolve remaining border issues. Highlighting progress made through the 2023 MoU, Bora expressed confidence that continued dialogue, cooperation, and joint development efforts will help achieve an amicable settlement of the long-pending inter-state boundary dispute.
Assam Minister and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president Atul Bora on Tuesday said that Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will continue discussions to resolve the remaining issues along their inter-state boundary, emphasizing that substantial progress has already been achieved through sustained dialogue between the two neighbouring States.
Speaking to reporters, Bora stated that both governments remain committed to finding mutually acceptable solutions to the unresolved border issues while maintaining the spirit of cooperation that has characterized recent negotiations. He noted that several disputed areas have already been settled and expressed optimism that the remaining concerns can also be resolved through constructive discussions.
“Our objective is to discuss the pending matters and move forward together. Several contentious points have already been resolved, but some issues remain, and these will have to be discussed further,” Bora said.
The minister highlighted that work has already commenced in several areas where disputes have been successfully defused. According to him, both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are actively pursuing development initiatives in these regions, reflecting the positive impact of the settlement process on local communities.
Bora stressed the importance of collaboration between the two States, particularly in border areas where residents have historically faced uncertainties due to territorial disagreements. He said that both governments must work collectively on development and administrative matters while exploring new opportunities for cooperation that can improve the lives of people living along the inter-state boundary.
The remarks come amid ongoing efforts by Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to resolve their decades-old border dispute through negotiations and consensus-building measures. A major breakthrough in the process was achieved in April 2023 when the two States signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The agreement marked a significant milestone in addressing disputes across a majority of the identified contested areas. The MoU was based on recommendations submitted by regional committees formed by both State governments to examine claims and counterclaims concerning 123 villages located along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary.
The border dispute traces its roots to differing interpretations of boundary demarcations following the notification of the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), which later became Arunachal Pradesh. Over the years, overlapping territorial claims have periodically led to tensions among communities residing in the border regions.
Despite these challenges, both States have consistently emphasized dialogue as the preferred mechanism for resolving disagreements. Since the signing of the 2023 MoU, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have repeatedly described the settlement process as a model for resolving inter-state disputes through negotiation rather than prolonged legal battles.
Bora reiterated that discussions on the remaining issues will continue in the coming months and expressed confidence that the positive relationship between the two governments would help achieve a comprehensive and amicable resolution.
| Also Read: Gold Recovery in IndiGo Toilet Sparks Security Alarm |
He said the progress made so far demonstrates the willingness of both States to work together in the larger interest of regional stability, development, and the welfare of border communities. With continued cooperation and political commitment, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are expected to further strengthen efforts toward settling the remaining boundary issues and fostering long-term harmony along their shared border.
