| PYQ Relevance: Q) China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’, In light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbour. (UPSC CSE 2014) Q) The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same. (UPSC CSE 2019) |
Mentor’s Comment: The India-China border conflict is a complex and longstanding issue primarily centred around the 3,488-kilometer (2,167-mile) Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Himalayan region. Tensions have escalated significantly in recent years, particularly in June 2020.
Both countries have recently reached a significant bilateral agreement regarding patrolling along their disputed border, specifically the LAC, in the context of the tensions that arose from the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
Today’s editorial explores the pressing issues related to LAC between India and China’s recent agreement.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
Two weeks after announcing military disengagement, a meeting between PM Modi and President Xi at the BRICS Summit led to positive gestures at the LAC, signalling renewed goodwill.
| Key Highlights of the Agreement: • Resumption of Patrols: The agreement allows Indian and Chinese troops to resume patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in areas such as the Depsang Plains and Demchok, reverting to norms that existed before the 2020 tensions. This is expected to help reduce the likelihood of confrontations. • Disengagement Process: The deal signifies that the disengagement process has been finalized, indicating a mutual understanding to pull back troops from certain friction points, which aims to stabilize the situation along the border. • Monitoring Mechanism: Regular monitoring and monthly review meetings will be instituted to ensure compliance with the terms of the agreement, helping to maintain stability and prevent future clashes between both nations. • Diplomatic Engagement: The timing of this agreement aligns with high-level diplomatic interactions, including potential meetings between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit, indicating a broader effort to normalize bilateral relations beyond military issues. |
No Clarity on this agreement:
- Unclear Agreement Details: India and China have not provided clear details on the new “patrolling arrangements” at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- Reports suggest possible PLA access in areas like Yangtse (Arunachal Pradesh), yet no official clarity exists.
- Pattern of Ambiguity: Since the start of tensions in 2020, the government has provided limited information. This was first seen when violent clashes occurred at Pangong Tso in 2020, which the government downplayed in terms of changes in troop levels.
- Impact of Buffer Zones: Although disengagement has occurred at some points like Depsang and Demchok, the establishment of buffer zones may hinder a full return to pre-2020 conditions without dismantling these zones.
What are the reasons behind China’s actions on the Indian border?
- Territorial Ambitions (Xi’s 2014 Policy): China’s increased aggressiveness, possibly a result of President Xi Jinping’s 2014 policy to control “every inch of territory,” has been evident across multiple regions, including Taiwan, South China Sea, Doklam, and the Tibet-India border.
- Check on India-U.S. Partnership: China may be signaling that India’s maritime partnership with the U.S. will not mitigate India’s 3,500 km continental border challenges with China.
- Infrastructure Security Concerns: India’s border infrastructure improvements, like Daulat Beg Oldie and new border roads, have heightened China’s security concerns around Xinjiang and Tibet. China’s own construction in the region may have increased in response.
- Timing Linked to J&K Reorganization (August 2019): China reacted strongly to India’s changes in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly regarding Ladakh, leading some to believe this may have influenced China’s aggressive LAC moves in 2020.
Need for Government Transparency (Way Forward)
- Call for Openness in Sensitive Border Decisions: For sustainable peace and transparency with citizens, the government should clarify its plans for the northern region, especially given the unexpected events at the LAC.
- Lessons from LAC Events: The government should review the causes and responses to Chinese transgressions, which took the public and officials by surprise, and communicate lessons learned.
- Engaging Citizens: As a democratic government, India is urged to move away from “shock and awe” surprise announcements and foster transparency about national security moves with profound impacts on its citizens.
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-nilgiris-as-a-shared-wilderness/article68820359.ece
