Historical Background

Ancient times onwards both india and china heads social, political, economic, and diplomatic relations. China acted as friend and foe  both for India . Despite of ancient ties China’s greediness engage itself into crisis with India whether in 1962(indo-china war), 1967, doklam crisis or recent Galwan valley issue. During British india two borders between India and China purposes i.e. Johnson line and McDonald line in which under Johnson line Aksai chin shown under India’s territory whereas McDonald line under china control. During Indo-china war 1962, china captured the area of aksai chin and considered it as a area of china and then dispute began between india and china. At present Line of Actual control (LAC) separating India’s area of ladakh from Aksai chin.

Current Situation

          Recently on 15^th June 2020 Monday, China has increased it’s aggression in Galwan valley area in Indian territory amid COVID-19 pandemic. This is the 2^nd longest stand off of china after Doklam, Sikkim in 2017. Although India is still maintaining the 1993 India-China Agreement. After June 15^th , In June 22^nd talks both sides signaled their interest in further de-escalating the situation and neither country has shown any interest in a wider conflict. But recent reports by satellite images suggest that, for from disengaging from the site of the Galwan valley, china appear to have substantially reinforced it’s position there and other reports suggest China continues to mass forces and erect structures near the LAC in other parts of the eastern sectors , including the Depsang Valley. That is why, government of India on 29^th June  decided to ban 59 Chinese Apps to counter the aggression of China.

Reasons of Disputes

·         No map have been issued between india and china marking it’s boundaries

·         OBOR (one belt one road) global development as well as expansion policy adopted by china.

·         ‘Five fingers of Tibet strategy'- Tibet was the right palm according to china and finger attached to the right palm were considered- Sikkim, Arunachal pradesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Ladakh, which china wants to grab.

·         China has enjoyed a superior position, having built a road through the area in 1999, while Indian soldiers are forced by inhospitable geography to patrol the contentious stretch on foot.

Matter of concern for China

·        India infrastructure/road along DarbukShyok river to daulat beg oldie (DSDBO).

·        Recent weather forecast of Gilgit-Baltistan.

·        Inclusion of Aksai chin in the map of India.

·        Probable danger to China-Pak economic corridor.

Matter of concern for India

·        China's influence on border line i.e. MacDonald line is increasing its span more towards Indian territory and violating its sovereignty.

·        China's regular entry towards the ladakh region is a matter of concern and also it may act as host to terrorist groups through its CPEC in the Shaksgam valley.

·        China's blocking, towards the smooth access of central Asia by India for trade or for any other reason. It has also increased our military spending taking toll on economy.

·        The Aksai chin position is topographically such that, it can keep an watch on India’s military activities or other activities easily.

·        Countries like Nepal, Pakistan, acting as buffer states, supports China and in recent line can be seen taking in China’s voice. Example- Nepal concern in Kalapani disputes. Pakistan support of OBOR, CPEC etc.

Border aggression in various areas must be countered at both economic and diplomatic level

At economic level:-

·        Government of India launched Atma Nirbhar  Bharat scheme to reduce the dependency on the other countries.

·        Relegation of Chinese Apps and Chinese product.(Recently, 59 Chinese Apps banned by government of India)

·        Investment in MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises).

·         India can better protects it’s boundaries by developing new technologies such as 5G technology to compete with China and reduce dependency on China.

·         Due to aggression shown by people liberation Army in the Galwan Valley, anti chinese sentiments growing in India, So India should impose trade restrictions with China.

·         The companies in the China are enticing due to coronavirus pandemic, hence India should provide attractive terms and conditions to these companies.

·         China import cotton from India of worth $ 3.2 billion and India import fertilizer from China of worth $ 2.7 billion instead of using Chinese fertilizer farmer can use organic fertilizer.

At diplomatic level:-

·         As a non-permanent member of UNSC , India can raise the topic of border disputes.

·         USA, India, Japan, Australia has formed QUAD group to counter the influence of China in the Asia Pacific region.

·         Russia-India-China is holding RIC meeting every year since 2002, India should show it’s concern about the aggression in the border area by China, and India could warn China that bilateral relation between India and China will be affected.

·         India’s strength to counter border aggression by China is hosting the G20, Chair the BRICS summit, Chair of the executive board of world health assembly (WHA).

·         And very important, Dismissed the agreement of 1966 with China, because China first violated on LAC Face-off on 15^th June 2020, and China doesn’t followed Article-VI of 1966 agreement.

Challenges

·         Nepal influence with Chinese ideology.

·         Pakistan's relation with China is danger for India.

·         China’s five finger strategy for India.

·         Threat to sovereignty.

·         India’s internal security and internal issues.

·         Strategic disadvantages to India.

·         Economic condition of India compared to China.

·         Border management issue of India and China.

Way forward- Steps that can be taken in addition to above mentioned are-

·         Revising Panchsheel, in presence of both countries.

·         Bilateral talks on proper demarcation of Borders.

·         Dialogue between countries to discuss transgressions issue.

·         India can counter China-Pakistan intimacy through closeness with Taiwan to surround China’s Eastern frontier.

·         China should follow the 1966 agreement.

·         India should increase participation in various international groups to counter China.

That is why, as China increase it’s aggression day by day on india-china border, and India is continuously adopting peace policy and keeping regard the statement-“Hindi chini bhai bhai”, till date India has not take any big action against China but now India has to counter China’s border aggression at various level. Because after the June 22^nd talks , recent reports aided by satellite imagery suggest that, far from disengaging from the site of the Galwan brawl, China appears to have substantially reinforced it’s position there. There are now Chinese defensive structure, shelters, trenches, and vehicles visible. That is why, this is the time to adopt and promote Atma Nirbhar policy to reduce dependence and also exigent border law should be made.