Guwahati, June 16 (IANS) Assam Minister and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) President Atul Bora on Tuesday said Assam and Arunachal Pradesh would continue discussions to resolve the remaining issues along their inter-state boundary, noting that significant progress has already been achieved in recent years.

Speaking to reporters, Bora said both States have made headway in settling several disputed areas and expressed optimism that unresolved issues could also be addressed through dialogue and cooperation. “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,” he said.

He noted that Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have already begun work in several areas where disputes have been defused, adding that both governments are committed to carrying forward the process positively.

Bora stressed that the two neighbouring States need to work collectively on development and administrative issues in border areas, while also exploring new avenues of cooperation for the benefit of people residing along the inter-state boundary.

The remarks come against the backdrop of sustained efforts by the two States to settle their decades-old border dispute through negotiations. In April 2023, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to resolve disputes in a majority of the identified contested areas.

The agreement followed recommendations from regional committees constituted by both States to examine claims and counterclaims over 123 villages along the boundary.

The border dispute has its origins in differing interpretations of the boundary demarcated after the notification of the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), which later became Arunachal Pradesh.

Over the years, competing territorial claims have led to recurring tensions among communities in border regions.

Since the signing of the MoU, both State governments have repeatedly described the settlement process as a model for resolving inter-state disputes through dialogue rather than litigation.

Bora said further discussions would continue on the remaining issues and expressed confidence that the spirit of cooperation between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh would help in achieving an amicable resolution.

–IANS

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