The Assam Arunachal border dispute has gained fresh momentum after regional committees from both states held their second meeting on October 13, 2026, at the Biswanath Circuit House in Assam. The meeting focused on accelerating boundary demarcation, addressing disagreements over disputed villages and preparing a roadmap for unresolved issues by December 2026. Both sides reiterated their commitment to finding a peaceful and mutually acceptable settlement through dialogue and cooperation.
The discussions involved disputed areas linked to Arunachal Pradesh’s Papum Pare district and Assam’s Biswanath and Lakhimpur districts. Senior ministers, elected representatives and administrative officials reviewed progress made since the first regional committee meeting in January 2023 and discussed measures to move the settlement process forward.
Second regional meeting sets December target
The meeting was led by Arunachal Pradesh Urban Affairs, Land Management and Civil Aviation Minister Balo Raja and Assam Revenue Minister Keshab Mahanta, who head their respective regional committees.
Other participants included Arunachal Pradesh Doimukh MLA Nabam Vivek, Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, Lok Sabha MP Ranjit Dutta and officials from the concerned districts. The delegations also reviewed findings from joint field inspections and proposals based on conditions in the disputed areas.
Both committees agreed that the next meeting would take place by the end of December 2026. The deadline is intended to help the states address outstanding differences and establish a practical roadmap for areas where agreement remains difficult.
The discussions also reaffirmed the importance of carrying forward decisions made during earlier negotiations rather than allowing unresolved local disputes to delay the broader settlement process.
Boundary demarcation and nine villages take priority
A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to speed up the physical demarcation of agreed boundary areas. The disputed villages have been grouped into three categories to help authorities address different types of disagreements.
Category I covers nine villages where the committees called for the immediate installation of boundary pillars. These markers are expected to help establish the agreed boundary on the ground and reduce the scope for future misunderstandings.
Category II includes 22 villages where disputes are considered relatively minor or localised. The respective deputy commissioners will work to resolve these issues through bilateral discussions at the district level.
Category III comprises two villages where significant differences remain. Both states agreed to prepare a roadmap for these locations after consultations with local legislators, district officials and residents.
The approach aims to match the settlement process to the complexity of each dispute, allowing less contentious cases to progress while giving more difficult issues additional attention.
Survey of India to assist with formal demarcation
The regional committees have also directed the concerned district administrations to initiate the process of engaging the Survey of India for formal boundary demarcation. The exercise is expected to begin within two months, helping officials establish clearer boundary lines in areas where agreements have been reached.
Accurate surveys and proper documentation will be important in translating administrative decisions into clear boundaries on the ground. Officials will also need to coordinate with local communities to address concerns involving settlements, land ownership and access to surrounding areas.
Both sides agreed to maintain the status quo according to the cut-off dates established during earlier discussions. They also pledged to prevent fresh encroachments and tree felling in disputed areas.
Another important decision concerns the withdrawal of first information reports registered against officials from either state. The committees agreed to initiate the necessary procedures in accordance with the law, as part of broader efforts to improve cooperation and reduce tensions along the boundary.
Namsai Declaration remains central to negotiations
The latest meeting builds on the Namsai Declaration signed on July 15, 2022, by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
The agreement marked an important step in addressing the long-standing dispute by reducing the number of villages claimed by Arunachal Pradesh from 123 to 86. It also established 12 regional committees to examine disputed areas, conduct joint verification and facilitate ground-level settlements.
The committees were expected to work closely with local representatives and residents to develop solutions suited to conditions in individual villages. However, elections and other administrative commitments contributed to delays in completing the process within the initially anticipated timeframe.
The renewed push for a December roadmap reflects the two governments’ efforts to revive negotiations and resolve remaining differences through sustained engagement.
A decades-old dispute with local implications
The Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary dispute has historical roots dating back to 1951, when more than 3,600 square kilometres of plains areas were transferred from the North-East Frontier Agency to Assam following the recommendations of the Gopinath Bordoloi committee.
Arunachal Pradesh subsequently contested the transfers after becoming a Union Territory in 1972 and attaining full statehood in 1987. Although a High-Powered Tripartite Committee recommended using the 1951 boundary line in 1980, disagreements persisted over settlements and areas extending beyond the notified boundary.
The dispute has affected communities living along the interstate border, making local consultations and reliable land records essential to achieving a lasting settlement.
The current regional committee process seeks to address these concerns through administrative coordination, field inspections and negotiated decisions rather than confrontation.
With the next meeting scheduled for late December, the immediate challenge will be to turn the latest agreements into measurable progress. The installation of boundary pillars, district-level settlements and formal surveys will be crucial indicators of whether the process is advancing. A mutually accepted roadmap could strengthen relations between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh while providing greater clarity for residents of disputed villages.
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