INDIA CHINA BORDER DISPUTE - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

BLOG NO.: 4

CURRENT INDIA-CHINA BORDER DISPUTE

pic: a map showing LOC and LAC borders

The border between India and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is known as LOC and border between India and Chinese-occupied Ladakh is known as LAC. LOC is demarcated which means the border is clearly defined but LAC is not clearly defined. Both countries claim the border of LAC in different places and this difference in perception between the countries is the main reason of this current dispute.

pic: Diagram showing the grey zone, Indian claim line, and Chinese claim line.

The Blue area is the Indian territory and the red zone is the Chinese territory which is agreed by both the nations. But India recognizes blueline as a border and the Chinese recognize redline as its border as shown in the image above and the overlapping area is created between the claim lines is known as the Grey Zone that is referred to as an ADPA (Area of Differing Perception).

Grey area is a 10 km land near Pangong Lake. Previously the land was not clearly under either of the two nations. The area was only patrolled by the soldiers of both the nations. When the patrolling soldiers met on the way, they used to show the other flags of trespassing the border and told to return back causing small conflict between the soldiers.

In the previous few years, the conflict has arisen due to the increase in patrolling of the Indian army after upgrading their military weapons. But the conflict that is occurring now is more serious than any other regular clashes.

START OF THE CURRENT CONFLICT ...

The current conflict was started on 5th May 2020 and was first time reported by the economics times on 12th May 2020. This conflict is going around Pangong Lake which is about 130 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide. Some pointed edges are protruding in the Pangong Lake and these edges are known as fingers of the lake. These fingers help to understand the border separation between the nations in that area.

pic: Map showing the fingers of the Pangong lake

In the image, you can see the depiction of the fingers of Pangong lake. India claims LAC lies in the F8 area and Chinese claim LAC lies in the F2 area. The area between F2 and F8 is the grey zone on the map. The first incident of the current problem reportedly begun when a Chinese troop reached F5. The second conflict was reported between 10th and 11th May when Chinese troops reached the area till if F5 while patrolling in this area. It was the first incident when for the first time fistfight broke out between the troops of both the Nations and during the fight 11 soldiers got injured.

pic: Pangong lake

The current intrusion is reported in three different areas namely Pangong Lake and Galwan river valley in Ladakh and Hot spring near the kong ka la pass.

The Chinese army has reportedly occupied and camped Posts between F4 and F8. Distance between F4 and F8 is about 8 km and the Chinese have already posted around 4000 to 5000 soldiers in that area. In reality, the Chinese troops occupied the grey area which the Indian claim to be inside the Indian border.

pic: Intrusion of the Chinese army in the Galwan valley can be clearly seen

The worst situation is in the Galway valley. Intrusion in that region by the Chinese has given a big disadvantage to the Indian soldiers, as they would get a height advantage against the Indian soldiers from above the valley top.

 Galwan valley is not in the grey area there is no difference in different perceptions between the two nations but the intrusion in Galwan valley can be stated as actual Chinese trespassing of the border and breaching their own claim line.

pic: LAC border

The third region, hot spring region near kongka pass is said to breached only for pressurizing the Indian soldiers and diverting and distracting their focus. There is not much benefit that China will have in that region. Neither will they have much of land nor military benefits as in the case of Galwan river valley. Many military personals are criticizing the military actions of the Chinese and claimed this to be a loss of national pride. The government is being held questionable because of their difference in statement of the problems and diverting away from the real problem of losing the territory in the hands of the Chinese military.

REACTION OF INDIAN GOVERNMENT TOWARDS THE SITUATION

The government has not taken many stern measures of protecting its land and is now on talking terms with China to resolve the dispute without any further delay. There is no clear cut communication from the Indian government with its citizens about the entire situation.

Many say it is a good idea of the Government of not sharing all information with the public as it might put pressure on the government. Also, we know if India loses out the land, the people will not spare the government as nowadays National sentiments in the people are much more.

THEORY OF PEOPLE REGARDING WHY THIS IS HAPPENING

Is it really necessary for china in creating such a border dispute now and going against India knowing all of the Nations in the world is angry on china due to the havoc created due to the coronavirus? 

Some theories state, that it is just a distraction of the Chinese government of its people from the current pandemic of coronavirus and their economic fall due to it. Another theory explains that India's construction of DSDB road on the borders of the Uttarakhand's Li-pulekh area might give India a strategic boost towards its economy and China is opposing the idea and creating a diplomatic situation to stop the construction. These are just speculations and no one knows whether it is true or not.

The latest news suggests that 20 Indian soldiers have been martyred in a fight in the Galwan river valley. This is a very unfortunate and unwanted fight in these challenging times through which the world is facing. I hope the border tensions ease down and nothing too serious brake upon the relation between the two countries.

If this geopolitical issue is not solved soon by both the nations, then there might be huge problem in the relations between the countries which are already in a great dispare due to COVID-19.

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 source credit: Dhruv Rathee youtube channel ;

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