India and China have a complex border history. Since the late 1980s, both nations have attempted to manage their disputed boundary through dialogue and agreements. The 1990s saw important efforts to maintain peace and avoid conflict despite unresolved territorial claims. These efforts laid the foundation for ongoing border management even as challenges persist.
Early Diplomatic Engagements
Rajiv Gandhi’s 1988 visit to Beijing restarted talks after years of tension. Political instability in India delayed progress until 1992. Both countries then shared a vision of economic opening and border peace. Between 1988 and 1993, six rounds of talks by the Joint Working Group (JWG) focused on border issues. Military commanders were included in discussions, leading to confidence-building steps.
Border Peace and Tranquillity Agreement (1993)
The 1993 agreement, signed during Prime Minister Narasimha Rao‘s visit to Beijing, was a milestone. It formalised the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as the status quo. The agreement prohibited the use or threat of force. It required both sides to respect the LAC and withdraw if they crossed it. The document called for joint checks on disputed segments and a reduction of forces to mutually agreed limits. This was the first formal recognition of the LAC and aimed to freeze tensions.
Military Confidence-Building Measures (1996)
The 1996 agreement during Jiang Zemin’s visit expanded on the 1993 pact. It reinforced the no-force principle and sought a fair boundary settlement. Both sides agreed to limit troops and heavy weaponry near the LAC. Large military exercises near the border were to be avoided or directed away from the other side. This agreement aimed to reduce the risk of accidental clashes but was later violated in 2020 in eastern Ladakh.
Challenges in Defining the LAC
A major obstacle has been the lack of a common, agreed map of the LAC. In 2000 and 2002, attempts to exchange maps failed as each side presented maximalist claims. Disputed areas include Depsang, Pangong Tso, and Chumar in the western sector. Without a clear boundary, face-offs have been frequent. Efforts to clarify the LAC stalled by 2005, leaving the border prone to tensions.
Impact on India-China Relations
The agreements helped stabilise relations in the 1990s and early 2000s. They allowed trade and diplomatic contacts to resume. However, unresolved territorial claims have led to periodic stand-offs. The inability to finalise the LAC alignment undermines long-term peace. The agreements remain important frameworks but require renewed political will for full implementation.
Questions for UPSC:
- Discuss in the light of India-China relations, the role of confidence-building measures in managing international border disputes.
- Examine the challenges of demarcating disputed boundaries with reference to the Line of Actual Control between India and China.
- With suitable examples, analyse how political instability within a country can affect its foreign policy and international negotiations.
- Critically discuss the significance of economic liberalisation in encouraging peaceful bilateral relations between neighbouring countries, taking India and China as a case study.
