Challenges of Nation-Building and Integration in the Frontier State of Arunachal Pradesh
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Abstract
This study examines the challenges of nation-building and integration in the frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh, a strategically significant border region characterised by geographical remoteness, ethnic diversity, and complex geopolitical dynamics. Drawing on secondary data and scholarly literature published after 2015, the research analyses how historical frontier governance, infrastructural limitations, and socio-cultural plurality have shaped the trajectory of integration within the Indian nation-state. The findings indicate that while formal political incorporation and administrative expansion have strengthened territorial consolidation, disparities in development, connectivity, and institutional outreach continue to influence the depth of socio-economic integration, particularly in remote border districts. The coexistence of indigenous customary institutions with modern state structures further illustrates that nation-building in Arunachal Pradesh is a negotiated and context-specific process rather than a uniform transformation. The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive governance, improved infrastructure, and inclusive development strategies to enhance long-term national cohesion in this strategically sensitive frontier region.
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