In recent weeks, China and India have experienced a heightening of tensions and hostility and a kindling of historical animosities.
The recent border skirmish was caused by a seemingly minor dispute over the placement of two Chinese tents and observation posts high up in the Ladakh region of the Himalayas. The events occurring in mid July mark the deadliest clash between the two powers in decades.
What exactly is the history behind this conflict? The conflict is rooted in a British treaty stretching back to 1914 in which the McMahon line was established, extending across the Himalayas. Great Britain, the Republic of China, and Tibet convened to “to negotiate a treaty that would determine the status of Tibet and effectively settle the borders between China and British India.” The Chinese resolutely refused to sign the agreement while Britain and Tibet signed it establishing the McMahon line. Although the eventually independent Indians readily accepted this proposal, the Chinese did not, triggering several clashes across decades. Eventually, when the People’s Republic of China expanded into their rapidly populated western frontier in 1962, troops crossed the McMahon line, starting a fight that killed thousands of troops on both sides. It was only until Chinese Premier Zhou Enali declared a ceasefire establishing a Line of Actual Control, did the fighting stop. Continued—but smaller—bursts of conflict occurred in 1967, 1987, 2013, and 2017.
Prior to this latest clash, the India-China relationship was seemingly cordial. Despite persistent ideological divergences, the two countries were seeking dialogue and expanding cooperation. According to Brookings, China-Indian relations seemed to be softening with the 2018 Wuhan Summit covering a number of issues including trade, borders, and geopolitical cooperation. In addition, the Indian and Chinese armies held a joint military drill “with the theme counter-terrorism under the United Nations' mandate being conducted in Meghalaya.” Strangely, the soldiers on both sides were not permitted to carry arms—a potential deterrent to more serious conflict.
Why did such a burst of conflict occur recently? Goldman of NYT furthers that the latest clash was a reflection of mounting tensions among the “nationalist leaders of both nations eager to flex their muscles.” Modi has used the conflict to fuel hawkish anti-China rhetoric “which ranges from distrustful to outright hostile.” In an attempted display of power, Modi visited Indian troops in the Himalayas proclaiming that “the military stood ready to defend his country.” These brazen remarks prompted Beijing to “call for restraint at the tense border area.”
Fearful of a Chinese regional counterbalance, India has stood in opposition to CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) signaling discontent over Chinese economic expansion through the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative). Furthermore, “The Indian government banned an additional 47 apps, all clones or variations of 59 other apps India blocked last month on national security grounds” including the popular video sharing application, Tik Tok”, in fear of expanding Chinese soft influence.
According to Stratfor in July, India and China are proceeding with “slowly progressing de-escalation talks over the past month.” Both sides fear the possibility of an all-out war, particularly India as they undergo rising COVID-19 cases.
The China-Indian border conflict is more than a territorial dispute. It reflects two different manifestations of nationalism and sovereignty in differing systems. The Chinese, with their pronounced sensitivities, seek to maintain a firm grip over territory through authoritarianism while expanding economic influence abroad. Meanwhile, the Indians, with their growing internal nationalism, seek to counterbalance Chinese expansionism with an unrelenting maintenance of border sovereignty. As India and China progress as emerging global powers, the magnitude of such tension can warrant the continuation of pragmatic diplomacy and steady cooperation.
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