While responding to the “military situation” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday termed the issue “most serious”, stating that the state of border affairs “will reflect” on larger bilateral ties.During a regular media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asked “what is the update on the military situation between India and China in Arunachal Pradesh? Has this ‘standoff issue’ been taken up diplomatically?”The question was in reference to reports over the past two weeks that Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in “face-off” at a location in Taksing in the Upper Subhansiri district along the LAC with China. The development comes just a month prior to the upcoming BRICS Summit, where Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi. Jaiswal said, “In matters relating to the border areas between India and China, we have always emphasised in discussions with the Chinese side that we consider these issues as most serious and that the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in these areas is of the utmost importance.”India, he reminded, has stated “the state of the border affairs will reflect on the state of our larger bilateral ties”.Jaiswal went to refer to the 36th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China border affairs (WMCC) conducted on August 6.“At this meeting, the two sides engaged in frank discussions and reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control,” Jaiswal said.The Indian side again underlined that maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential for the overall development of bilateral relations. It was agreed to continue to use existing diplomatic and military channels, including the WMCC, local commander-level meetings and other agreed mechanisms, to resolve outstanding issues and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation along the LAC.Sources said troops of either side carried out the “routine” banner protocol in the last week of July, under which both sides claimed that they were in their area. The Chinese had pulled back. However, it is learnt that the Chinese came back in early August. The Army has not responded to queries on this matter.Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu in February inaugurated the Tsari Taksing Gajang Shedup Dargeyling Monastery at Taksing and announced that Taksing would be developed as a tourism circuit in view of its historical and religious significance in Buddhism.Can’t change realityIndia on Tuesday hit back at China’s rejection of New Delhi’s decision to formally identify 27 places and geographical features in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the northeastern state was an “inalienable and integral part of India” and that “nothing can change this indisputable reality”.Examining Pak-Saudi-Türkiye defence pactIndia on Tuesday said it is examining the implications of the newly signed Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Türkiye defence pact from the perspectives of its national security as well as regional peace and stability, signalling close scrutiny of the emerging security arrangement.