Amid the going tensions of the world crisis, Indian and Chinese armies are again and again clashing at various points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Although, there were many times in the past when the two armies clashed with each other since there has not been a proper demarcation of the border lines between the two large economies. Also, incidents as these are uncommon along the LAC as both sides have differing perceptions of the alignment of boundaries. But what has caused a sudden attack on the Line of Actual Control?

Reasons for the current standoff-

Recently the standoff at LAC occurred at four places- Pangong Tso, Galwan Nalah, Demchock in Ladakh and Naku La in Sikkim, though the specific reasons for these clashes remain unclear. However, co-ordinated nature of Chinese intrusions at different points along LAC have raised concerns about Beijing’s intentions. At times it’s been noted that China’s reaction to Indian efforts over the last few years to build border infrastructure has been ultrasensitive and it fears that activities such as-

• Construction of a feeder road near Galwan river connecting with the DS-DBO road.
• Building a road in Pangong lake area.

Although both the new roads lie on the Indian side of LAC, their purpose is to strengthen further the Indian position along the LAC which might have irritated China which feared it and might have threatened it’s occupation of Aksai Chin and Lhasa-Kashgar highway. Also, China remains much more concerned about the newly constructed Dharchula to Lipulekh and believes that this newly inaugurated road has affected China’s border security in Tibet. While India decided to split Ladakh from Jammu and Kashmir last year, a that unsettled Pakistan. Many experts believe India’s aggressive position on the issue of Ladakh and PoK is the real reason behind current standoff.

What is China trying to signal?

This time, the scope, scale and posture of China’s moves were unprecedented. Against the backdrop of dramatically slowing economy, criticism for the handling of the outbreak of the Coronavirus and worsening ties with many countries, Chinese leaders may have felt the need to show strength, especially over questions of national sovereignty. This can be seen, not only regarding the border with India, but also regarding Taiwan, Hong Kong and the South China Sea. Considering the United States as it’s main “rival”, and not India, it generally seeks to maintain stability in the border dispute with India.

Current status-

After a tough tug and war between the two countries along their security lines, both the sides are currently engaged in the dialogue process at an appropriate level to avoid every kind of tensions between the two.Senior military commanders of India and China were scheduled to meet on 6th June to find a solution, and as a result, both sides have slightly retreated from their current positions. While Chinese Army had reportedly retreated by 2kms, the Indian Army has stepped back by one kilometres.

History of LAC-

In 1993, after years of territorial standoffs and negotiations, China and India finally signed an agreement which attempted to mark out a long stretch of border between the two countries. This came to be known as the Line of Actual Control, but it’s precise location can be blurry, and there is still dispute between both of the world’s leading powers.
So far, this LAC has served as the de facto border between these two countries. Since, India is close to complete a major upgrade of border roads, including a strategic military-use road that connects an airfield at Dalut Beg Oldie in northern tip of the Western section with the villages of Shyok and Darbuk towards the South, also India reactivated and rebuilt airfields along the border. It has also raised two mountain divisions and is creating a mountain strike corps to conduct offensive operations against China along the border.
Thus, the increased frequency of standoffs between the two are major cause of worry. If these standoffs drags on, nationalistic fervour is bound to kick in. The resultant public groundswell would restrict the options available to political leaders of both sides to resolve the issue.