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INDIA - CHINA BORDER DISPUTE

INDIA - CHINA BORDER DISPUTE

1. Context

Days after completing the process of troop disengagement at two friction points along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, India and China held the first official-level talks in New Delhi Thursday, “reflected on the lessons” learnt from the military standoff and agreed on the need for “effective border management” and “maintenance of peace and tranquillity” as part of bilateral pacts.

2. Standoff between India and China

The standoff between India and China, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), has been a recurring issue rooted in historical disputes, strategic rivalries, and geopolitical ambitions.

Here is an analysis of the situation:

Border Dispute:

The India-China border is divided into three sectors:
- Western Sector: Aksai Chin, claimed by India but controlled by China.
- Middle Sector: Less contentious, but areas like Barahoti in Uttarakhand witness minor disputes.
- Eastern Sector: Arunachal Pradesh, claimed by China as part of South Tibet.
The Sino-Indian War of 1962 remains a significant point of contention, with unresolved border claims.

Recent Standoffs

Doklam (2017):
- A 73-day standoff occurred at the tri-junction of India, China, and Bhutan.
- Triggered by Chinese road construction near Bhutanese territory, viewed as a threat to India's strategic Siliguri Corridor (Chicken’s Neck).
Galwan Valley (2020):
- Marked by the first casualties in 45 years; 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troops died.
- Followed by a series of disengagement talks.
Eastern Ladakh (2020-present):
- Ongoing disputes in areas like Pangong Tso Lake, Depsang Plains, and Hot Springs.
- Despite disengagement in some areas, tensions persist.

3. Line of Actual Control (LAC)

The Line of Actual Control is a 4,057-kilometer-long (2,520 mile) disputed border line that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory in the Himalayan region. It runs through the disputed border regions of Ladakh, Aksai Chin, and other areas along the India-China border.

Key characteristics of the LAC include:

Undefined Demarcation: Unlike most international borders, the LAC is not precisely demarcated or delineated. It is essentially a loose line of perception where both Indian and Chinese troops are positioned.
Historical Context: The LAC emerged after the Sino-Indian War of 1962, which resulted in a ceasefire but did not resolve the underlying territorial disputes.
Disputed Sections: There are multiple areas along the LAC where both countries have different perceptions of where the actual line should be, leading to occasional tensions and military standoffs.
Strategic Importance: The region is geographically challenging, with high-altitude terrain including mountain passes, glaciers, and rugged landscapes.
Periodic Tensions: In recent years, particularly in 2020, there have been significant military confrontations between Indian and Chinese troops, most notably in the Galwan Valley region of Ladakh.

The LAC is divided into three sectors:

Western Sector (Ladakh)
Middle Sector (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh)
Eastern Sector (Arunachal Pradesh)

4. India-China Relations during the Nehruvian Era

The India-China relationship during the Nehruvian era (1947–1964) was characterized by idealism, cooperation, and eventual conflict. It began with mutual admiration and solidarity as post-colonial nations but deteriorated into distrust and confrontation, culminating in the Sino-Indian War of 1962

Key Phases India China relations during Nehruvian Era

Early Friendship (1947–1954)

Common Goals and Anti-Colonial Sentiments:
- India and China, as newly independent nations, sought to rebuild their societies and oppose colonialism and imperialism.
- Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru admired China’s cultural legacy and revolutionary transformation under the Communist regime led by Mao Zedong.
Support for China on the Global Stage:
- India was one of the first non-communist nations to recognize the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1949.
- Nehru supported China's entry into the United Nations, arguing that the PRC represented the Chinese people rather than Taiwan (Republic of China).
Signing of the Panchsheel Agreement (1954):
- India and China signed the Panchsheel Agreement, based on five principles of peaceful coexistence:
  1. Mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
  2. Non-aggression.
  3. Non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
  4. Equality and mutual benefit.
  5. Peaceful coexistence.
- The slogan "Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai" symbolized the optimism in bilateral ties

Emerging Tensions (1954–1959)

The Tibetan Question:
- China's annexation of Tibet (1950–51) and its suppression of Tibetan uprisings created friction.
- India’s grant of asylum to the 14th Dalai Lama in 1959 after the failed Tibetan rebellion was viewed as interference by China.
Border Disputes:
- Despite the Panchsheel Agreement, India and China had unresolved territorial disputes:
  - Aksai Chin (Western Sector): Controlled by China, claimed by India.
  - Arunachal Pradesh (Eastern Sector): Claimed by China as South Tibet.
- Discovery of China's construction of a road in Aksai Chin (1957–58) intensified tensions

Deterioration and War (1959–1962)

Border Incursions and Skirmishes:
- China’s aggressive patrols and incursions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) exacerbated hostilities.
- Nehru’s "Forward Policy" (establishing advanced Indian outposts along the disputed border) was seen as provocative by China.
Sino-Indian War (October–November 1962):
- China's invasion of Aksai Chin and parts of Arunachal Pradesh marked a turning point.
- The war exposed India's military vulnerabilities, resulting in territorial losses in Aksai Chin.
- China declared a unilateral ceasefire and withdrew from Arunachal Pradesh but retained control over Aksai Chin.

5.‘De-induction’ ‘Disengagement’ and ‘De-escalation

The terms ‘De-induction’, ‘Disengagement’, and ‘De-escalation’ are often used in the context of military and diplomatic operations, particularly in situations of conflict or standoff. They are critical stages in reducing tensions and maintaining peace, especially in border conflicts like those between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Differences Between the Terms

Term	Scope	Focus	Finality
De-induction	Broader withdrawal	Long-term stability	Final withdrawal of troops
Disengagement	Specific sites/areas	Preventing skirmishes	Temporary or site-specific
De-escalation	Entire conflict zone	Reducing overall tensions	Long-term trust-building

For Prelims: Current events of national and international importance.

For Mains: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Previous Year Questions

1.“Belt and Road Initiative” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of : (UPSC CSE 2016)
(a) African Union
(b) Brazil
(c) European Union
(d) China

Answer (d)

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a global development strategy launched by China in 2013 under President Xi Jinping. It aims to enhance connectivity and cooperation among countries primarily in Asia, Africa, and Europe through infrastructure projects, investments, and trade networks. The BRI includes two main components:

Silk Road Economic Belt: Land-based connectivity linking China to Europe through Central Asia.
21st Century Maritime Silk Road: Sea-based routes connecting China to Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, and beyond.

BRI is often in the news due to its economic, geopolitical, and strategic implications for participating countries and its criticism for creating debt traps

Mains

1.‘China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’, In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbour. (UPSC CSE GS2, 2017)

2.With respect to the South China sea, maritime territorial disputes and rising tension affirm the need for safeguarding maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region. In this context, discuss the bilateral issues between India and China. (UPSC CSE GS2, 2014)

Source: Indianexpress

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UPSC Article

INDIA - CHINA BORDER DISPUTE

Recent Standoffs

Early Friendship (1947–1954)

Emerging Tensions (1954–1959)

Deterioration and War (1959–1962)

Differences Between the Terms

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