Tensions between China and India over the LAC have been simmering for some time, but almost four decades later, the deaths of soldiers from one country after another have occurred in recent days. Twenty Chinese soldiers, including an Indian colonel, were killed in the clashes last Monday night. According to foreign policy, this was the first time since 1975 that there had been any casualties in clashes between Chinese and Indian forces. The Indian army also confirmed the deaths of its officers and soldiers and said that Chinese soldiers were also killed in the clash. The Chinese military acknowledged this but did not say how many soldiers had been killed.
What is the ultimate basis for this clash between these two nuclear powers? China and India had a long friendship in the 1950s, but the Himalayan border dispute soon led to a rift in relations between the two countries, which later turned into animosity. Like other border lines in the region, this border line in Ladakh has been drawn by the British authorities which is very vague and highly controversial. Due to this disputed border, in 1962, tensions between the two countries reached a point where it was time for war. This war was won by China and India suffered a humiliating defeat. China supports Pakistan in its disputes with India, and India is at odds with China over this as well. However, the deficit was offset by the Pak-China Economic Corridor. This project posed a serious threat to India.
At present, the so-called border in Ladakh is not recognized by both India and China and has been renamed the LAC (Line of Actual Control) instead of the International Border. In 2017, Chinese engineers attempted to build a road in the area on the border of China, India and Bhutan, on which Chinese and Indian troops came face to face, and the stand-off lasted for 73 days in the Doklam area. Meanwhile, there were reports of clashes between the two countries' forces with stones, sticks and clubs. China's attempt to build the road and the resulting stand-off are the main cause of the current tensions between the two countries, which have now reached the point where soldiers have been killed.
Prior to Monday's clash, the crisis seemed to be easing as a result of ongoing military and diplomatic peace efforts between the two countries, but the sudden clash raised the risk of war. But they are beginning to appear. The two countries are dumping the rubble of recent clashes and previous clashes on each other. Each party accuses the other of violating the agreement. The militant media of both the countries play an important role in this and after each clash they start shouting the victory of their respective armies. At the time of the clashes between Pakistan and India in early 2019, the Indian and Pakistani media had done something similar, which gave the leaders of both the countries a chance to move forward.
Now what can happen next between China and India on LAC? There is no definitive answer to this question. India has stated that the two countries are trying to reduce tensions and normalize the situation, but at the same time India has said that China is deliberately violating the LAC. Is. China's response to this issue was more demanding. It accused India of deliberately inciting clashes in the region, which has always belonged to China.
Even at the time of the stand-off in 2017, there was a great risk of war between the two countries, but the issue was successfully resolved through negotiations, but the current situation could easily get out of control. The main difference between the two incidents is that there were no casualties on either side in the stand-off at the time, but there have been many casualties in this Monday night's clash, so the pressure for revenge on both sides may increase, making the situation more serious. May be. China has successfully resolved its border disputes with Russia and other countries through diplomatic talks in 1990 and 2000. Since then, no problems have arisen between China and these countries on these borders. However, the border issue in the Himalayan region is much more sensitive and difficult.
The region's natural resources, especially its water resources, are a barrier to solving this problem. More than 1.4 billion people depend on river water from the region. In addition, unlike China's western border, there are more than two parties involved on the border, including China and India, Bhutan and Nepal, and Pakistan. On top of this, China's growing power and nationalism, on the other hand, nationalism is on the rise in India, so the two countries can not accept the withdrawal from the region in any way. Given these aspects, the most likely scenario is that the Line of Actual Control between China and India will be similar to the Line of Control dispute between Pakistan and India.
