China’s release of the 2023 edition of its “standard map” has sparked international controversy by staking a claim over several disputed regions, notably including Arunachal Pradesh, Aksai Chin, Taiwan, and parts of the South China Sea. This provocative act has immediately prompted a strong protest from India, delivered through diplomatic channels, further escalating tensions between the two nations. The move has significant implications for the ongoing India-China border dispute and regional stability.
Key Territorial Claims
Western Sector: The Aksai Chin Dispute
In the Western Sector of the India-China Border Dispute, the Aksai Chin region is the focal point. This area, originally part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, is claimed by China as part of its autonomous Xinjiang region. Following the 1962 war, China has administered Aksai Chin, encompassing over 38,000 sq. km of uninhabited land. India, however, contests China’s control over this region and also the Shaksgam Valley, which was ceded to China by Pakistan. A noteworthy location here is Daulat Beg Oldi, situated in Leh, known for hosting the world’s highest airstrip.
Central Sector: A Less Controversial Boundary
In the Central Sector, spanning 625 km, the boundary dispute is relatively less contentious, with no major disagreements between India and China over the demarcation in this area.
Eastern Sector: The McMahon Line Controversy
The Eastern Sector of the India-China border dispute centers around the McMahon Line. Crafted during the 1913-14 Shimla Conference, this line marked the boundary between British India, Tibet, and China. The McMahon Line significantly shifted British control northwards, ceding areas including Tawang to the British Empire. Despite initialing the agreement, China later refused to accept it, rejecting the “illegal” McMahon Line. The contentious Arunachal Pradesh region is part of this dispute, covering a vast 90,000 sq. km.
Recent Aggressive Actions by China
China’s recent actions in the Eastern Sector have amplified tensions. It announced Chinese names for 15 locations in Arunachal Pradesh in early 2022, solidifying its territorial claims. A new law passed in late 2021 concerning land border areas came into effect in 2022, formalizing some of China’s actions in disputed territories. Notably, China has bolstered its military presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and engaged in extended training exercises in depth areas. Dual-use border villages and troop habitats have been constructed, alongside the issuance of stapled visas to residents of Arunachal Pradesh.
India’s Countermeasures and Preparedness
In response to China’s actions, India has taken strategic measures to counter the perceived threat in the Eastern Sector. Ensuring full operational preparedness, India is prioritizing the security of the vulnerable Chicken’s Neck area—a narrow corridor connecting the North-east with the rest of the country. Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) efforts have been intensified, with the establishment of a new aviation brigade in the sector in 2021.
Furthermore, the deployment of assets has been optimized. The second Rafale fighter squadron is stationed at Hasimara, near the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction. Sukhoi-30MKI jets are stationed at Tezpur and Chabua air bases. To enhance defense capabilities, Akash surface-to-air missile systems and Bofors howitzers have been deployed.
UPSC Mains Questions
- How might China’s bold cartographic assertions impact its diplomatic relationships with neighboring countries?
- How has the unresolved McMahon Line dispute influenced India-China relations over the decades?
- What potential security implications could arise from China’s increased troop deployments and infrastructure construction in disputed regions?
- How do China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and Taiwan affect the broader geopolitical stability in the Asia-Pacific region?
