China was left embarrassed on Wednesday after Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu clearly stated that the northeastern Indian state does not share a border with China but with Tibet.

During an interview with the news agency PTI, it was mentioned that Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1200 kilometre long border with China. Khandu responded with a clear and strong correction.

"Let me set the record straight here. We have a border with Tibet and not China," Yakub announced.

The Chief Minister firmly said that no Indian state shares a land boundary with China. He explained that Indian states, including Arunachal Pradesh, are located next to Tibet, which was taken over by China in the 1950s.

"Yes, officially Tibet is with China now. It can't be excluded. but naturally we did have a boundary with Tibet earlier. And in Arunachal Pradesh there are only three international borders."

". with Bhutan, around 150km, with Myanmar to the east, around 550km, and with Tibet, one of the longest borders in the state," said the Chief Minister.

Khandu made these remarks at a time when China has been repeatedly trying to claim Indian territories, including regions in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, as well as the entire state of Arunachal Pradesh.

China refers to Arunachal Pradesh as 'Zangnan' or 'Southern Tibet'.

To support its claim, China has renamed several places in Arunachal Pradesh, a move that India has strongly criticised as illegal, and has also issued maps that show Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory. India sharply condemned China in May, terming it a "preposterous" renaming attempt. In response, the External Affairs Ministry said, "Creative naming won't change the irrefutable fact. Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will ever be a part and parcel of India."

Before 2024, China had renamed thirty places in Arunachal Pradesh using Chinese names in May. It was the fourth instance in seven years where China tried to claim the state in this manner.

In 2023, China also released a 'standard map' which showed Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region of Ladakh as part of its territory.

This map was issued just a few days before India hosted the G20 Summit and after an informal meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Africa.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had dismissed the map, saying in an exclusive interview to NDTV that China regularly releases such maps. "Just releasing maps doesn't change anything. Making ridiculous claims doesn't make other people's land yours," he stated.

Speaking on this issue, the Chief Minister said, "We know China's habit, and I think the External Affairs Ministry has dealt with it and has given them a fitting reply."