Assam, Arunachal hold border talks; makes substantial progress on border dispute.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a meeting with Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu on the border dispute in Guwahati on Thursday.

Taking to Twitter, Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu wrote, "The CM-level meeting on the Assam-Arunachal border was held today at Guwahati in an ambience of camaraderie and cooperation to resolve all outstanding issues! As per the vision of HPM @narendramodi ji and under the guidance of HM @AmitShah ji, we are working towards resolving the vexed issue."

The Chief Minister further wrote that both the CM's shared commitment are to resolve the long pending border issues between the two states and that they have made substantial progress regarding the same.

"We are working hard to find an amicable solution. Happy that we have both made substantial progress."Khandu tweeted.

"The Regional Committees of both the States have tirelessly worked by appreciating the ground realities and recommending the way forward. Discussed all the issues threadbare which required the guidance at this forum and suggested way forward," he added.

The Assam Government has formed regional committees to talk with Arunachal Pradesh over the boundary issue and several rounds of talks have already been conducted in the recent times between the Regional Committees.

The Regional Committee jointly visited the disputed area for the first time after the Namsai Declaration was signed between the two CMs last year, July 15, 2022.

According to the Namsai Declaration, both the states have agreed to restrict the number of disputed villages from 123 to 86.

A day after the meeting, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma while speaking to the media said, almost 92% of the Assam-Arunachal border dispute has been resolved.

“The MLA of Jonai constituency and their counterpart will make the visit to 10 villages and after that, the dispute will be resolved completely,” said the CM.

The CM further said both the states will jointly send the memorandum of understanding between the two states to the Central government by the mid of April and the rest is upto the centre.

The CM added that the local representatives, MLAs have resolved the dispute to a great extent.

“Yesterday we resolved the dispute upto 92 %. 10 villages are remaining regarding which the dispute has to be resolved and that will be diced between the consultation of both the MLA and they will submit a report before April 10,” Sarma said.

Earlier, on Thursday, the CM took to his Twitter after the meeting and wrote, “Held a productive meeting with Hon’ble CM of Arunachal Pradesh Shri @PemaKhanduBJP. We have made substantial progress on our boundary issues. Both of our governments are committed to end outstanding legacy matters and deepen our shared value of regional harmony.”