Indo-China Border dispute- why & how?

        The genesis of border standoff between New Delhi & Beijing dates back to 1913-14. It was in this year, Sir Henry McMahon, a British colonial administrator effectively drew a line along the Himalayas at the Shimla convention. The demarcation which would in later years become the effective boundary between China & India. The boundary, disputed by India's Northern neighbour, has had a profound effect on the relation between the two Asian giants, that led the war of 1962. There were several skirmishes and standoffs both before and after that. It continues to be a thorn in the side reaching of flash point at the Tri-junction between Tibet, Sikkim & Bhutan in Dhoklam in 2017.

          The McMahon line as it is popularly known as effective demarcation line between the Tibetan region of China & North-East region of India. Although its legal status is disputed by the Chinese government. While New Delhi maintains this line as the legal national border, Beijing rejects the Shimla Accord and the so called "The line of actual control", contending that Tibet was not a sovereign state and therefore did not have the power to conclude treaties.

          The recent stand off between the two Asian giants pertains to at least four friction points- Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Hot Spring and Depsang. While New Delhi's position has always been de-escalation of tension through dialogue and mutual agreement whereas Beijing's position to it is somewhat different. Beijing has always asserted their multi-level pursuit of cartographic              aggression, be it in their expansion in Aksai Chin and to fulfill its economic agenda One Belt One Road (OBOR) project. The OBOR project seeks economic connectivity between Eurasia Continent and in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. China believes that success of its project hinges on the flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The triumph of the CPEC and OBOR will eventualy change the balance of power in the world.

          In pursuit of its objective China now desires that India & Pakistan must join OBOR project. As more countries jump on to China's OBOR bandwagon, its objective of economic dominance in the South East Asian region will get accomplished. The relationship between two countries turned sour ever since New Delhi categorically conveyed its inability to join the OBOR project. Furthermore the abrogation of Article 370 on 5th August 2019 with effect from 31st October2019 which reorganised the state of Jammu & Kashmir and it was bifurcated into two union territories. China openly opposed the integration of Ladakh union territory into union of India. While New Delhi termed it as an internal affair and asserted that it has no bearing with the Indo-China border dispute. Whatever may be the case India can not afford to take things lightly. Instead of giving China and Pakistan as two separate adversaries bound by unholy nexus, India needs to comprehend that the only way to manage assertive China lies through pakistan both strategically and militarily, which will ensure India its rightful place in Asian Sub-Continent.

Dorina Rose Hari

Sambalpur University