In a major face-off between India and China, both sides’ troops clashed with each other recently over border disputes. The face-off between India and China took place when nearly 200 Chinese were daring to cross over the LAC(Line of Actual Control) and trying to enter the Indian side. Their attempt was first challenged by Indian troops who were 50 in number but later backup arrived in large numbers and stopped PLA troops.
India-China Border dispute on LAC
The India-China dispute was in the limelight in June 2020, when India witnessed the martyrdom of its 24 brave soldiers in a major clash with China’s PLA at LAC. Since then efforts to de-escalate the border dispute with China were carried on.
But a recent clash with PLA troops happened on Friday last week at the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, the Army chief said. Both sides confronted each other and minor injuries were reported on both sides. After clashing both sides vacated the site with immediate effect.
China has not said anything till now maintaining its silence over the clash. In India, after the incident appeared in public, reactions started coming from all sides within the Country.
Congress walk out of Rajya Sabha after Defence minister Rajnath Singh presented his statement about the incident in the house. Rajnath Singh accused The People’s Liberation Army tried to interrupt the Status quo at the border.
Tension, Skirmishes, and De-escalation between India-China
For the record, China and India share a disputed 3440km long de facto border line – popularly known as Line of Actual Control, or LAC – which is poorly and irregularly demarcated between two powerful nations and that is the reason for continuous tension.
The presence of various natural amenities like, rivers, lakes, and snow-covered mountains always increases the possibility the line can shift. Resulting in the fact that soldiers on both sides – representing two of the world’s largest and most powerful armies – come face to face for clashes at many points. The face-off sometimes turned into skirmishes but timely intervention controlled the situation and De-escalation takes place several times.
If we look back in recent years we find that both sides have been trying to de-escalate and control the situation since a major battle in June 2020 in the Galwan Valley of the Ladakh territory- where 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese soldiers died according to official reports.
However, the face-off of June 2020 which takes place with the use of sticks and stones, not guns – was the first serious confrontation between the two sides in the area in nearly 45 years.
Another incident of the face-off that took place in January 2021 left many soldiers on both sides injured.
Decades of Dispute, What next for India-China?
For decades, India and China have had a number of serious claims along their more than 3000km long border, which spread across nearly the entire Himalayan mountain range. In 1962, when both countries fought a serious, violent war over the claimed territories, China occupied Arunachal Pradesh at that time, which it already claims as part of South Tibet, before returning it to Indian government control.
However, China complained that India’s growing relationship may impact its relationship with China and was furious against India-US relations compatibility. China always contested against India in International Forum to maintain its interest. China under its expansionist policy always puts pressure on India and repeats its false claim over disputed regions but has never produced any factual documents for its claim.
This dispute now needs to be ended because if it will continue in the future it can harm the security of two powerful nations in the world. The future of India-China relations is still skeptical.
