Chinese transgressions in the Ladhaki sector of Galwan valley after similar transgressions in Nakhu La sector of Sikkim and Pangong Tso lake in Ladhak have again highlighted India China relations which saw substantial thaw and improvement.
Infact India was one of the earliest of the country to acknowledge the People’s Republic of China’s existence against the Republic of China and support it’s claim for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security council however despite making overturns India China relations have been in loggerheads before their independence. The treaties and arrangements have not in entirety been negotiated by National governments and which is why there is still space for confusion.
The 3488km border between the two countries is known as the Mc Mohan line signed between the British government in India and Tibet is the border acknowledged by both the countries. However after China’s occupation in Aksai Chin in 1957 culminating in the war of 1962 which finally gave a arrangement that was military held line known as LAC or line of actual control which now demarcates Indian territory with China.
Despite India China relations improving there has however been several opportunism and mischief from China owing to the temporary arrangement of the LAC. Despite the September 1993 Arrangement on the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the LAC there has been several skirmishes. India and China still continue to be at loggerheads on issues relating to Ladhak, Arunachal Pradesh, the Johnson line and MC Donald line which has seen tempers flare which thankfully hasn’t yet blown into a war.
It is important to also understand that this comes in the backdrop of Doklam issue and the Daulat Oldie Beg transgressions. Despite India and China having underscored the values of integrity of borders and friendship through panchsheel treaty there has been deaths in both sides as reported by the media in the latest round of transgression.
China’s reasons maybe due to the growing clout of Indian developments in the lipulekha sector of Uttarakhand where a road was recently inaugurated by our defence minister, more over the covid-19 pandemic has allowed India to attract foreign businesses and make India the new hub of manufacturing, India very recently also routed all FDI from automatic to regulated mode after Chinese opportunistic buying in HDFC bank. These instances have a bearing on Beijing and in order to bring Delhi to the table it’s applying pressure tactics and wanting India to blink first.
Since the escalation has been the gravest in recent times New Delhi must initiate envoy and high level talks to diffuse the tension and not fall in the Chinese trap. India has already made the NSA Ajit Dhoval the special envoy for talks with his counterpart. Moreover India should also engage culturally and socially with the country with which it doesn’t only share a boundary but also many facets of the civilization. The pandemic has already been draining and the world doesn’t need the two most powerful countries to be further engulfed in a full blown war as it will spell doom for all hence better sense must prevail.
Bibliography
I’ve used my own notes and understanding on the topic through various editorials and news discussions.