Indiaclub.com Description

As the first governor of Arunachal Pradesh in 1987-90, the author travelled extensively through the state, interacted with the people and got acquainted with their social and cultural heritage, which he vividly describes in the book. In 1962, he had dealt with issues in the Defence Ministry after the debacle. As the governor, after visting the border areas in the state, he got valuable insight into the border dispute between the two countries.

The author believes that the Dragon’s shadow over Arunachal is an ominous signal. With its growing economic and military prowess, China’s claim over Arunachal should no longer be taken lightly. The border dispute is threatening to become a territorial one. So far as discussions on the issue are concerned, we have been prisoners of our past as inheritors of our northern borders from the British and the age old belief of peaceful co-existence with China.

Instead of endless talks, negotiations need to be done at a high political level to settle the border issue, keeping in mind what Dr B.R. Ambedkar had said: While boundary making is the responsibility of statesmen.

At stake is the future of the Arunachali people. This is the challenge to Indian polity.

COMMENTS

‘Never forget that the basic challenge in South-East Asia is between Indis and China. That Challenge runs along the spine of Asia. Never let the Chinese patronize you.’
- Jawaharlal Nehru in Frank Moraes’ Witness to an Era: India 1920 to the Present Day (1973).