In a letter to the Prime Minister, Lok Sabha member from Arunachal Pradesh (West) Kiren Rijiju said the muted and guarded response of the Central government over claims made by the Chinese over Arunachal Pradesh “is hardly encouraging”.

“We expect the Government of India will come out strongly to defend every inch of Arunachal Pradesh,” Rijiju said.

He reminded Singh of the agreement reached during former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee’s visit to China that status quo in populated areas on both sides of the McMohan line or Line of Actual Control would be maintained in letter and spirit.

That (the agreement) could be the only viable solution of the border dispute in the Arunachal sector in the present circumstances, he said.

Rijiju said reopening of border trade with China through traditional routes in the state would also bring the two people closer.