INDO- CHINA STAND-OFF - (Article)



The Line of Actual Control is the boundary that separates the two fastest developing economies from each other. Perhaps the major negative of this line is that it has no demarcation unlike the Line of Control. The LoC is the demarcated line between India and Pakistan till where the militaries of both nations can control the land. Woefully, there is no confirmed or 'demarcated' line between India and China. The LAC, according to India, measures 3,488 km whereas the Chinese measures it only 2,000 kms.

The Line of Control is spread across in three regions:

·         The western region in Ladakh

·         The middle region in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh

·         The eastern region of Arunachal Pradesh[1] and Sikkim

India considers its border in the Ladakh area at a line similar to the  Johnson Line of 1865 while China claims its border at a line similar to the Macartney–MacDonald Line of 1899.

It was in 1959 for the first time that the word 'LAC' was used. This was done by the Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai while writing to Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India. India formally accepted 'LAC' in 1993[2]. The Indo-Chinese border has a total distance of 4056 kms.

There have been numerous reports and satellite images which say that over the years, China has made large military infrastructure developments across the LAC or the Tibet Autonomous Region. More than 50,000 kms of roads have been built. Rail construction has also taken place. Not only this, the Chinese have made underground constructions for hangers and airbases for its fighter aircrafts.

Indian infrastructure along the LAC was extremely poor and thus difficult to patrol the area and also carry heavy military weapons. In the past few years, the Border Roads Organization (BRO)[3] has made a remarkable progress in infrastructure development in the region. However, in the past few years, there has been a drastic acceleration in the constructions and significant developments have been made by the BRO. According to reports, for ten years from 2008, the annual average road construction was less than 250 kms. But since then till now, this construction has accelerated to more than 450 kms per year. The roads along the LAC needs to be surfaced properly so that it can support the weight of heavy military carriers. However again, for ten years since 2008, this was done less than 200 kms per year which has since increased to more than 375 kms annually. Such has been the progress of Indian construction thus marching to match its counterpart.

So what is the actual issue between the neighbours? Is it because India is building up state of the art infrastructure within the Indian territory? Strange, but the answer is yes! The Indian military is constructing a road close to the LAC that is too close to China, which the Chinese definitely thinks to be a threat. Moreover, this road meets an airstrip, which improves military access of India to the region. Perhaps the main issue of China for this stand-off is the construction of the Darbuk-Shyokh-Daulat Bed Oldie (DSDBO) road[4]. This is a 255 km long strategic road, very close to the LAC, took almost twenty years for the BRO to build. The DSDBO road helps India to get access to Aksai Chin and to the west of the strategic road is Gilgit Baltistan area. This is the region where China is constructing the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)[5] in PoK. Thus, such a strategic road, which could be a threat to China in some ways, is unhappy with the construction and wants India to demolish, to which India disagrees and hence the stand-off.

Most of the clashes between India and China have taken place at the disputed area of the famous freshwater lake at Ladakh, the Pangong Tso lake. Even the Doklam stand-off[6] of 2017 had taken place here, a video of which has been shown multiple times even during the current stand-off wherein kicks and punches were exchanged between the two armies. The lake is situated at a height of 14,000 ft in the Ladakh Himalayas. It is important to note that while the LAC lies in the lands of Ladakh, it also passes through the Pangong Tso lake. 45 km of the Pangong lake lies with the Indian control whereas the rest lies under Chinese control. According to reports, the People’s Liberation Army has built 5 km road along the Pangong Tso lake on order to keep an eye on Indian positions on the northern tip of the lake.

There are mountains named Chang Chenmo on the northern banks of the lake. These mountains are called as 'fingers' by the armies. Now the major dispute is the Indian army claims the LAC to be at finger 8 although it patrols till finger 4. While the PRC army claims the LAC to pass through finger 2. The Chinese had made military constructions in 2014-15 which was later demolished after strong objections from India. This demolition was mutually agreed since it was confirmed that the Chinese had built up infrastructure in the Indian territory.

The latest issue that has taken place between the two nations is the Galwan valley[7]. It is interesting to note that the Galwan valley was never an issue before. Located in the eastern region of Ladakh, the Galwan valley is a very strategic area. The Galwan valley derives its name from the Galwan river originating in the Aksai Chin and joining the Shyok river. It is very close to the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), which is the world’s highest landing ground, next to the LAC and serves as an important aerial supply line. According to experts, the sudden and grace interest of China in the Galwan valley might well be strategic. The weather is harsh and is located close to the Aksai Chin[8], an area claimed by India, but under Chinese control.

Time and again, the Chinese have tried to build pressure on India, especially on the matter of LAC. However, since 1962, this has been perhaps, the most aggressive behavior (killing of 20 Indian soldiers in Galwan valley). Apart from territorial expansion, experts suggest other reasons for this stand-off. Increasingly, the world is believing the corona virus is the missile from China to the world and hence countries are having a bitter image of China, forcing them to take out their industries. Moreover, the same industries are being planned to be set up in India due to various positives. It could also be due to the recent abrogation of Art. 370 thus showing total control over J&K and Ladakh. Could be due to restrictions on FDI investment in Indian companies to protect them from bought away at throwaway prices during this covid crisis. Could be the support of India to USA in the South China sea issue. The Chinese might be trying to show if boycott protests are made or military issues arise, they may be dealt with aggression such as the current stand-off.

The current scenario at LAC is no less than a soon to war. However, war is never a solution, but purely destruction. A war between two fastest developing economies is neither suited to them nor to the world. The issue shall be at best resolved through diplomatic talks and a mutually decided and demarcated border, although seems unlikely, looking at the multiple failed talks. We pray that tensions between the Nations end soon or else very soon we may witness some serious military escalation and possibly the third world war.


[1] Called as South Tibet by the Chinese

[2] The then Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao paid a return visit to Beijing to sign agreement of peace.

[3] Found on May 7, 1960, by Jawaharlal Nehru for infrastructure development in border areas of India

[4] All weather road in Eastern Ladakh by BRO, ranging between 13,000 to 16,000 ft, from Leh to DBO at Karakoram Pass base that separating Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China from Ladakh.

[5] Infrastructure development in PoK by China and Pakistan, also included in China’s 13th 5 year development plan.

[6] Stand-off due to a road construction by China in Doklam near a trijunction  border area, known as Donglang.

[7] Both Galwan river and valley were named after Ghulam Rasool Galwan, a Ladakhi explorer, who assisted many explorers from Europe.

[8] Altitude of 5,000 meters above sea level, area of 37,244 sq. Km. captured by China during 1962 war, literally mean Chin's desert of white stones.

- Rahul Mishra

Thakur Ramnarayan College of Law

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