India-China Border Dispute: A Long Road to Resolution

India and China are countries of the world's two ancient and great civilizations. Both countries became independent almost simultaneously. Since independence, the border dispute between China and India gave rise to a problem which has not been resolved till date. There was a perception all over the world about the communist country China that due to its expansionist policy, China moves forward inch by inch on the land of other countries and later occupies the land. India has been a victim of Chinese intrusion many times. The relations between the two countries have also been very complex. After the deadlock on the East Ladakh border calmed down, the hope of improvement in relations was once again awakened.

Now China has said that China's border dispute with India is complex but it will take time to resolve it. However, it is ready to discuss delimitation so that peace remains on the border area. This statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning came after a bilateral meeting between Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun on June 26 during the SCO Defense Ministers' Conference in Xingdao.

During this bilateral meeting, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh proposed a "structured roadmap" for clear demarcation of the border to reduce tensions on the LAC (Line of Actual Control). He called for taking steps to reduce tensions on the border and activate the existing mechanism for demarcation. When the media in Beijing asked Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning to comment on Defense Minister Rajnath Singh's statement, Mao said that the two countries have already established the Special Representative (SR) mechanism.

The mechanism between the two countries to resolve the border dispute was established in 1993. Under the 1993 agreement, border management was done by both the countries and this agreement gives both the countries the right to patrol the border. The second agreement was signed in 1996, under which there was a provision for not using force on the border. The 23rd Special Representative level talks were held last year on the border dispute. In this meeting, the deadlock on the Ladakh border was resolved and both the countries confirmed the disengagement agreement. The return of Chinese troops to their previous position on the LAC was a big victory for the Modi government.

India shares a 3488 km long border with China. This border passes through Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. This border is divided into three sectors - Western Sector i.e. Jammu and Kashmir, Middle Sector i.e. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and Eastern Sector i.e. Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The demarcation between the two countries has not been completed yet because there are differences between them about many areas. India claims Aksai Chin in the Western Sector but this area is currently under the control of China. During the 1962 war with India, China occupied this entire area. In the eastern sector, China claims Arunachal Pradesh. China says that it is a part of Southern Tibet. China also does not accept the McMahon Line between Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh. China says that it was not present when the representatives of British India and Tibet signed this agreement in 1914. It says that Tibet has been a part of China, so it cannot take any decision on its own.

Due to these disputes, the border could never be determined between the two countries. To maintain the status quo, the term Line of Actual Control i.e. LAC started being used. However, this is also not clear yet. Both countries describe their different Lines of Actual Control. Many glaciers, snow deserts, mountains and rivers fall on this Line of Actual Control. There are many areas along the LAC where there are often reports of tension between the soldiers of India and China.

China attacked India in 1996 and captured a lot of our land. Nathula conflict in 1967, Sumdarong Chu conflict in 1987, Depsang conflict in 2013, Galwan Valley conflict in 2020 and conflict in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh in 2022. China wants to establish its dominance in South Asia. That is why it repeatedly shows its eyes to the neighbors and sometimes adopts a soft stance. Despite the tension between the two countries, trade relations remain the same as before. India is a global economic power at this time, it is becoming difficult for China to ignore it. Experts also believe that if both the countries work together, then no power in the world can compete with them. If China is hardware, then India is software. If India, China, Russia become a triangle and all three countries strengthen economic and strategic cooperation, then they will have no match. At present, India will have to be cautious in relations with China because China is not going to stop its cunningness. To normalise relations, it is important to bridge the gap of distrust.