It’s been more than 40 days, and still, the situation in Ladakh valley has not subsidized yet. This conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides for the first time in the last 45 years. This incident happened in Galwan valley, in the Ladakh region. The roots of Indo-China dispute traces back to 100 years during British India. Since then, China has adopted every formula to dominate the Indian borders. China always moves ahead with the ideology of imperialism in Asia. They target countries like India, Hong Kong, Tibet, Taiwan, Bhutan and Malaysia. China’s dominant nature leads to territorial disputes throughout Asia with almost ten countries. Out of these, China has almost full control over countries like Taiwan, Tibet and Mongolia.
Historical Background
In the east, the two countries share borders in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Out of 3488 km of Sino-Indian border, only 220 km of the boundary is undisputed territory. They consider Arunachal Pradesh as disputed land. They call it South Tibet in China. In the middle sector, both countries share borders in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Both countries share the boundary in the Barahoti, Nilang, Lapthal, Shipki pass of approx 1300 sq. Km.
Due to the Indo-China treaty, carrying weapons isn’t permitted in this area. In the western sector, India shares its land boundary in the Ladakh region, also known as Aksai Chin. The land dispute came into limelight in the year 1950. This happened when China built roads across Aksai chin, connecting it with Tibet. In 1958, India granted asylum to Dalai Lama. All these factors led to war in the year 1962. Last time both countries came in front of each other was in 2017 in the Doklam region. China claims this region under the name of Donglang. China was constructing a Motorable Road. It would have given China easy access to the northeastern territory of India.
The Chinese Idea of Imperialism
This ideology of China is the continuance of China’s dominant nature. They have a territorial dispute with all the border sharing countries. The only exception to this is Pakistan because of the Sino-Pakistan treaty. China’s insurgency in the South China Sea has created disputes with other countries. They reclaim territory either by increasing the size of the island. Countries like Japan and the USA are supporting countries like the Philippines and Vietnam. This is to improve its maritime military and to deter Chinese aggression.
The fact is that almost 3.37 trillion trade passes through this route. Around 3200 acres of land was brought under the control of China in the South China Sea. From India’s point of view, almost 200 billion trade passes through the South China Sea. War can affect the Indian trade market due to the pure domination over the South China Sea. This act of China is nothing more than the continuance of China’s foreign policy. Being a permanent member of the UN Security Council, they disregard public international law.
India Border Dispute with Other Countries
India shares its land boundaries with seven countries. It shares its border with Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan in the North. In east India share its boundary with Bangladesh and Myanmar. With regard to countries like Pakistan, China and Nepal, land boundaries are disputable. Dispute with China and Pakistan was always in the picture. India fought many wars to safeguard its land territory from these countries. But when India engaged in a standoff with China, Nepal also raised a dispute over Kalapani. Since partition, India- Pakistan is facing standoffs. Both claim Jammu and Kashmir as part of their territory. Claims were set off when in the year 2019, India dissolved the special status. It also claimed POK as part of their territory.
Indo-china dispute has mostly been in the three regions. Out of the three, two are in the east. The north Ladakh region has disputed area in total of almost 38000 sq. Km. China attacked India many times to capture some part of Indian territory. This wasn’t the case before 1962 as, in 1954. India China concluded the five principles.
- India acknowledged Chinese rule in Tibet and gave the slogan “Hindi- Chini Bhai Bhai”.
- Nehru wrote a memo directing a revision in the maps of India, but China showed 12000 sq. km as their Chinese territory and later said it was an error.
Tension arose when India welcomed Dalai Lama in the year 1959. They claimed that Indians caused the Lhasa rebellion. This led to war-like situations between both these countries.
The Way Forward: Is War a Solution?
Its been 45 days and standoff between the two countries is intensifying daily. Both the countries are adamant on their stand. Now the main thing that is important from India’s point of view is the treaties between the two countries.
- 1993 treaty where both countries decided to keep peace and maintenance along LAC.
- 1996 Treaty where both decided to keep the confidence-building measure in the military.
- 2012 treaty where both decided to establish a working mechanism for coordination.
- 2013 treaty was on India China defence Corporation.
But in these few days, China infringed all these treaties by attacking India. Now both the countries are in a situation to declare war. We import almost five times more than we export to China. In that case, what is essential from a citizen perspective, is to boycott. To hit china economically, we have to boycott their goods as much as possible. Due to COVID-19, China is facing criticism worldwide, and most companies are ready to shift out of China. This is an excellent opportunity for India. It would boost the Indian economy.
Practically, for both countries, war is not a solution. So the only solution they have is through dialogue between the two countries. The pandemic and South China problems have kept China in a vulnerable situation. Their only option is to resolve the dispute peacefully. China also knows that this is not 1962 India this is 2020 India where they won’t back out they will fight and they will win.
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