'We Want Peace, But Won't Compromise On Our Territory': Kiren Rijiju On India-China Tensions

Speaking on CNN-News18 BRICS Dialogues, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made efforts to normalise India-China ties, while asserting that India will remain firm on protecting its territory and sovereignty.

Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, said he has strong views on the China issue and that the people of the state have faced China before and remain prepared to do so again. However, he refrained from elaborating on his personal views, saying his remarks could be misconstrued as India’s official position.

‘Want Peace, But Won’t Compromise On Territory’

Rijiju said India wants peace but will not compromise on its territory. He stressed that India remains confident of protecting its territory and

safeguarding its sovereignty amid tensions with China.

#BRICS2026| BRICS: PERCEPTION, POWERPLAY, POLITICS

I don’t think the Tibet issue will have an impact on our bilateral relations with China. In diplomacy, you can’t pick one event or incident and confine your relationship to it: @KirenRijiju, Union Minister of Parliamentary… pic.twitter.com/mSQAs9VDMU

— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 11, 2026

The minister also highlighted India’s efforts to strengthen infrastructure along the border, saying China may have advanced further in infrastructure development but India will match its capabilities, particularly in frontier areas.

Rijiju On Arunachal Pradesh, China’s ‘Tactical Games’

Rijiju also dismissed China’s attempts to rename locations in Arunachal Pradesh as “tactical games”.

He said Arunachal Pradesh is not part of Chinese history or civilisation and asserted that India remains prepared to protect its territory.

‘Strong Views’ On China Issue

Rijiju said his position on the China issue is shaped in part by his roots in Arunachal Pradesh, where people have faced China before.

At the same time, he chose not to elaborate further on those views, stressing that his comments could otherwise be interpreted as representing the official position of the Indian government.

India Looking To Strengthen Border Capabilities

Rijiju said India is strengthening infrastructure along the frontier and will catch up with China in terms of capabilities.

While acknowledging China’s lead in infrastructure development, particularly in border areas, he said India will match those capabilities and continue strengthening its own infrastructure along the frontier.