Bestowed with the title of ‘Orchid State of India’, Arunachal Pradesh is an Indian state situated in the northeastern part of the country. It was formed by renaming erstwhile North-East Frontier Agency region and granted statehood on February 20, 1987. The state is bounded by Assam and Nagaland in the south and also shares international borders with Bhutan in the west, Myanmar in the east, and a disputed border with China in the north. Covering an area of 32,333 sq.m, Arunachal Pradesh is the largest of the Seven Sister States of Northeast India.
The state capital is Itanagar. It is an ethnically diverse state with Monpa people in the west, Tani, people in the center, Tai and Naga people in the east and south of the state respectively. Within each of these cultural spheres people speak distinctive dialects such as Nyishi, Apatani, Galo, Wancho etc. which ultimately makes Arunachal Pradesh one of the linguistically richest and most diverse regions in Asia. Often called the ‘Paradise of the Botanists’, Arunachal Pradesh is well-known for its floristic diversity.
The state flaunts Mishmi Hills hoolock gibbon, a new subspecies of hoolock gibbon described in the recent times. Major animal species like snow leopard, Asian elephant barking dear, marbled cat along with new giant flying squirrels such as Mebo giant flying squirrel also come from the state. Arunachal Pradesh is a land of natural marvels and it houses Namdapha National Park, Ziro Valley, Nuranang Falls, Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary, which attracts worldwide tourism. In addition to this, Handloom industry in Arunachal Pradesh is a unique and thriving industry as it uses raw materials such as goat hair, tree barks, human hair etc. Apart from this, the off-beat clothing style and traditional costumes exhibit the cultural diversity of the state.
India has proposed the 11,200 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh to counterbalance China's construction of a 60,000 MW mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet. While the government contends that a large reservoir is vital for water security and managing river flows downstream, local communities are strongly opposing the pre-feasibility surveys. Indigenous Adi youth fear submergence of up to 40 villages, loss of agricultural land, and disruption of their traditional way of life. The escalating standoff turned violent on October 23, resulting in arson at an NHPC office and a police station in Pasighat, leaving over 40 police personnel injured. Chief Minister Pema Khandu condemned the violence, assuring that the project will advance only through public consensus.
The Enforcement Directorate has approached the Supreme Court to challenge a Delhi High Court decision that quashed money laundering proceedings against digital news portal NewsClick and its founder Prabir Purkayastha. The probe agency contends that the High Court overlooked critical documentary material, email trails, and statements while examining the merits of the case prematurely. According to the investigation, around 92.3 crore rupees in alleged foreign exchange violations are under examination, including 9.59 crore rupees in foreign direct investment and 82.63 crore rupees received as software export receipts for allegedly non-existent services. Central to the probe are ties between the portal and Shanghai-based businessman Neville Roy Singham. The agency alleges that funds were routed through foreign entities to conduct an information warfare campaign against India, citing targeted editorial coverage of the farmers' protests, Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, and national COVID-19 management. The central agency maintains that the foreign funding breached regulatory norms and seeks to revive proceedings before the top court.
In this episode of Statecraft, Geeta Mohan examines critical global and national developments shaping politics and security. In Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured an unprecedented fourth presidential term after defeating Flavio Bolsonaro in a closely contested election marked by economic uncertainty and political division. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Israelis living overseas are flying home to cast their ballots in a decisive election that poses a direct challenge to Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership, with far-reaching consequences for Gaza, conflict with Iran, and United States Middle East strategy. In India, tension has escalated in Arunachal Pradesh over the proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, intended as a strategic buffer against China's massive upstream hydropower dam in Tibet. Protests spearheaded by the indigenous Adi community have turned violent amid fears of submergence and environmental damage. Finally, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has returned to Caracas after months abroad, following dramatic political shifts in Venezuela.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Varanasi to inaugurate a new garment manufacturing facility and witness the Indian Air Force's aerial display titled 'Wings Over Ganges' at Namo Ghat. Marking the 94th Raising Day of the Indian Air Force, the 90-minute flypast featured 94 aircraft, including frontline fighter jets like Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and Tejas, alongside Prachand combat helicopters and the Surya Kiran aerobatics team. Aircraft from the Army and Navy also participated in joint formations. The newly inaugurated garment unit aims to boost industrial growth in Uttar Pradesh, create local employment for women, and link Banarasi textiles with global markets. Meanwhile, an opposition leader questioned the scheduling of the aerial display during the 488-year-old traditional Bharat Milap celebrations in Kashi. The speaker further targeted the central government over border security, citing viral remarks by the ITBP Director General and alleging silence over Chinese transgressions along the borders in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
Indo-Tibetan Border Police Director General Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor reported recurring face-offs between Indian and Chinese forces at multiple points along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh, while the Ministry of External Affairs linked border tensions to deviations from established patrolling patterns.
In this special edition of Battle Cry, host Gaurav Sawant explores the operational prowess of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile following Operation Sindoor and evaluates India's evolving defence strategy. BrahMos CEO Dr. Jaiteerth Joshi discusses the weapon's tri-service readiness, precision strikes, stealth capabilities, and the drive towards complete indigenisation with assembly lines active in Nagpur, Pilani, and Lucknow. DG ITBP Shatrujeet Kapoor highlights ongoing friction along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh, stressing that modern drone technology allows smaller forces to effectively challenge larger conventional adversaries. Panellists Lieutenant General P.R. Shankar, Sandeep Unnithan, and Manjeet Singh Negi examine emerging non-contact warfare trends from the Russia-Ukraine and Iran-US conflicts. They debate the urgent necessity of establishing a dedicated drone, rocket, artillery, and missile force, leveraging existing artillery divisions and domestic manufacturing to plug squadron voids and safeguard national security.
The Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police has confirmed rising tensions and multiple face-offs along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh. This marks the first official confirmation of escalating border face-offs since July. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police chief stated that strike training for the entire force across units will be completed ahead of late 2027, with essential equipment made available across all forward border outposts to handle Galwan-like situations effectively. ITBP and Indian Army troops remain deployed across key flashpoints in high-altitude border areas to maintain security and defend the frontier.
Speaking in an interview, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju addressed key national issues, including delimitation, women's reservation, parliamentary functioning, and ongoing protests. He affirmed the government's commitment to implementing thirty-three percent reservation for women in the 2029 elections and noted that necessary numbers in Parliament would be secured. Responding to political agitation and street demonstrations, Rijiju remarked that elections cannot be won through negative politics, asserting that a few thousand people cannot decide the country's future. He also warned against foreign elements seeking to hinder India's economic growth. Emphasizing constructive criticism, Rijiju advised film personalities and social media influencers to comment responsibly and with factual understanding of constitutional provisions. Speaking about his personal life and public persona, Rijiju described himself as a genuine individual who refuses to act merely to please others, stating that opposition criticism does not affect his routine of living naturally and embracing an active outdoor lifestyle.
India Today Conclave Mumbai 2026 has officially begun, bringing together leaders, athletes, and domain experts for two days of discussions spanning politics, commerce, national security, sports, and entertainment. Network moderators previewed the key sessions scheduled for the summit, highlighting diverse perspectives from ruling and opposition political figures, including the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. Key discussion topics slated for the event include national security, counter-terrorism measures in the context of past attacks in Mumbai, space exploration, and India's economic growth. The conclave also features sessions dedicated to celebrating Indian athletes following their performances at the Asian Games, as well as dialogues on culture and cinema. The forum aims to reflect Mumbai's cosmopolitan fabric by hosting diverse viewpoints under one roof.
India has standardised the names of 28 geographical features across Ladakh on the official Survey of India map, including locations within the Aksai Chin region and areas like Gogra and Hot Springs. The move, carried out by the Centre in consultation with the Ladakh administration, covers ten peaks, seven land areas, three mountains, two passes, two glaciers, a valley, a river, a lake, and a water body. The exercise aims at accurate recognition and raising public awareness while asserting territorial claims amid longstanding boundary friction with China. The step follows China's repeated attempts to rename locations in Arunachal Pradesh and comes amid renewed meetings of the China-Pakistan Boundary Commission regarding areas around Gilgit-Baltistan and the Shaksgam Valley. Experts observe that standardising these historical names delivers a strategic signal on sovereignty and serves as long-term preparation regarding contested frontier areas.
In an interview, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju discussed his long-standing professional association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rijiju reflected on first meeting Modi in 1999 when both were handling party organizational responsibilities, highlighting Modi's emphasis on disciplined, time-bound execution with perfection. Rijiju stated, 'Modi Ji has transformed my own working system, my own way of looking at things.' He shared insights into Modi's hands-on governance style since 2014, noting how closely the Prime Minister tracked ministerial performance and follow-ups. Rijiju explained that Modi's electoral success and enduring popularity stem from having a coherent long-term vision, connecting every policy step, and leading a cohesive coalition under the banner of inclusive development.
In an interview on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju shared insights into his long association with the leader. Reflecting on their early interactions as party general secretaries in the late 1990s, Rijiju highlighted how Modi instilled discipline and target-bound execution. Rijiju stated, 'Modi Ji's time you can't make a mistake.' He noted that Modi ended VIP culture, introduced a round-the-clock work ethic, and completely transformed national governance after 2014. Discussing national security during his tenure in the Home Ministry, Rijiju recounted firm decisions taken after attacks on security personnel and observed that major Indian cities have become safe from frequent terror attacks. Rijiju also emphasized Modi's long-term roadmap toward a developed nation by 2047, describing him as a compassionate listener, a decisive visionary leader, and a statesman representing India globally.
Nationwide celebrations marked the Prime Minister's birthday, spanning events across Gujarat, New Delhi, Varanasi, and several states. In the national capital, the fifth edition of the SemiconIndia event was launched to coincide with the occasion. Across the country, the Bharatiya Janata Party commenced a month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan focusing on public service initiatives, including blood donation drives, cleanliness campaigns, and welfare outreach. Several political leaders and NDA allies participated in commemorative programmes, flagging off bike rallies from Vadnagar to Varanasi and conducting special prayers for the Prime Minister's long life and health. Citizens were urged to participate in the evening 'Ashirwad ka Diya' initiative by lighting lamps in homes and public spaces. Key state-level welfare announcements, including the second phase of the Deendayal Lado Lakshmi scheme, were launched to support women's financial empowerment. Leaders highlighted the collective national vision of achieving a developed nation status by 2047, praising the Prime Minister's decisive governance and long public service journey.
Speaking to India Today, former Indian Ambassador to China Ashok Kantha analyzed the state of bilateral relations following official discussions and statements. He dismissed notions of a breakthrough, stating, "I will not characterize it as a new dawn in India-China relations or a reset of relations." Kantha highlighted key differences in the diplomatic readouts from New Delhi and Beijing, noting that India treats peace and tranquility at the border as an essential prerequisite for normalization, whereas China seeks to advance relations on parallel tracks. He pointed out unresolved operational realities on the ground, such as reports of Chinese transgressions in Arunachal Pradesh and an absence of de-escalation. Furthermore, Kantha cited structural hurdles, including widening trade imbalances, Chinese decrees restricting technology transfers, China-Pakistan battlefield coordination during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, and unilateral hydropower dam construction in seismically active Tibet.
A news broadcast discusses key geopolitical challenges facing India, focusing on the Gulf conflict and the India-China bilateral engagement. The panel highlights the escalating war involving Iran, the blockade of vital energy routes including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, and the resulting economic implications such as rising fuel prices despite India recording 7.8% GDP growth in the first quarter. The discussion also covers the high-level meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Key issues between New Delhi and Beijing include the long-standing Line of Actual Control border dispute, troop deployments at super high altitudes, and a bilateral trade deficit exceeding 100 billion dollars. The analysis emphasises border peace, confidence-building measures, and India's rapid infrastructure construction across high-altitude frontier areas to maintain deterrence.
In an interview with India Today, Manish Tewari, Member of Parliament from Chandigarh and former Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, analyzed India-China bilateral relations ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit. Highlighting the fundamental dynamic between the two nations, Tewari remarked, "Two tigers have to live, will have to live in one forest, and two swords will have to coexist in the same scabbard." He stressed that both countries must agree there is sufficient space for concurrent economic growth throughout the remainder of the 21st century. Tewari pointed out that while China resolved land boundary disputes with 12 of its 14 neighbors, the Line of Actual Control dispute remains unresolved due to conflicting perceptions and differing strategic paths since the late 1940s. He identified the unresolved border delineation and a massive annual trade deficit of nearly $100 billion as major obstacles requiring political conviction to resolve.
An international affairs expert and former diplomat evaluated the geopolitical dynamics surrounding the BRICS summit, India-China relations, and global trade structures. The discussion emphasized that replacing the US dollar with the Chinese yuan in trade settlements would not be acceptable to many emerging economies, highlighting the necessity for transactions in local currencies to prevent single-currency dominance. On bilateral ties between New Delhi and Beijing, the interviewee underscored that lasting stability hinges on concrete progress along the unresolved border, particularly in light of recurring friction from Doklam to Galwan. Additionally, the dialogue addressed India's delicate balancing act in preserving strategic autonomy while navigating critical energy security partnerships with Russia amid global supply uncertainties, alongside trade imbalances and technological restrictions imposed by China in sectors such as electric vehicle battery manufacturing.
Discussions on India-Russia bilateral cooperation highlight key technological and strategic sectors, ranging from defence to civilian infrastructure. Panelists examine the changing nature of drone warfare, underscoring the necessity for a substantial inventory and future-proof technologies to counter sophisticated air defence systems. Beyond military hardware, bilateral engagement is expanding into civil aviation, railway coach manufacturing, and agricultural trade, including plans to manufacture civil aircraft in India. The strategic significance of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) is also highlighted as a critical dual-use technology. TBMs are vital for developing underground infrastructure and fortifications in high-altitude border regions across Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. Such underground assets protect ammunition, fuel, and vehicles from drone strikes, enabling rapid military mobilisation along the Line of Actual Control and Line of Control.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's aircraft entered Indian airspace ahead of his scheduled landing at Delhi's Palam Air Base. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit India, marking his first trip in seven years since the Galwan clash. Xi Jinping will arrive in New Delhi at 12:25 PM and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 5:45 PM at Bharat Mandapam on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. The bilateral meeting is expected to focus on high-level political engagement, border stabilization along the 3,488-kilometre Line of Actual Control following disengagement in Depsang and Demchok, and economic ties. Diplomatic progress has also seen the resumption of direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. However, significant challenges persist, including China's claims on Arunachal Pradesh, growing military cooperation with Pakistan, a widening trade deficit in Beijing's favour, Chinese naval provocations in the Indian Ocean, and export controls on rare earth elements. World leaders continue gathering in New Delhi as the BRICS summit commences.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India is being viewed as a significant opportunity to provide a fresh boost to bilateral relations following his last visit in 2019. The upcoming engagements build upon diplomatic progress and recent Special Representative-level discussions aimed at resolving boundary disputes. While bilateral cooperation within multilateral frameworks like BRICS continues on global governance and Global South development, India maintains cautious optimism across trade and investment. Key priorities for India include safeguarding peace and tranquility along the border, sustaining robust military deployment and infrastructure buildup across Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh post-Galwan, and addressing regional concerns regarding the Medog infrastructure project on the Brahmaputra River to ensure downstream hydrological security.
