Guwahati, Aug 13 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share a bond that goes beyond their inter-state boundaries, asserting that both governments remain committed to resolving the remaining border differences through dialogue and mutual understanding.
In a post on X, CM Sarma said the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have shared close ties for generations and described the relationship between the two states as one based on “love, affection and mutual respect”.
“Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share a bond that goes far beyond boundaries. For generations, our people have lived as brothers and sisters, bound by love, affection and mutual respect,” the Chief Minister said.
CM Sarma said significant progress had been made in resolving the long-standing boundary dispute between the neighbouring northeastern states in recent years. He said most of the differences had been settled through dialogue and friendship between the two governments.
“Only 52 villages remain, and both Governments will continue discussions in the same spirit to resolve the dispute completely,” he said.
The Assam Chief Minister also appealed to people on both sides of the inter-state boundary to maintain peace and harmony, stressing that the dispute should not affect the traditionally close relationship between the people of the two states.
“I appeal to the people of Assam and Arunachal to maintain peace and harmony. Boundaries may define our States, but they can never divide our hearts,” CM Sarma said.
The Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary dispute is one of the long-standing inter-state boundary issues in the Northeast. The two states have, however, intensified efforts in recent years to resolve the differences through institutional mechanisms and negotiations.
The governments have maintained that a negotiated settlement, rather than confrontation, is essential to ensure lasting peace in the border areas and preserve the social and cultural ties shared by communities living across the boundary.
CM Sarma’s latest remarks underline the Assam government’s stated preference for dialogue to settle the remaining areas of disagreement while urging people in border districts to avoid actions or statements that could disturb the prevailing atmosphere of peace.
The Chief Minister’s appeal comes as the two neighbouring states continue discussions aimed at achieving a comprehensive and mutually acceptable settlement of their boundary differences.
–IANS
tdr/dpb