Unpacking the India-China Border Dispute

Summary

The long-standing border dispute between India and China has roots stretching back centuries, with historical treaties and shifting empires shaping the contested territories. Key agreements like the 1842 Treaty of Chusul, which China signed, are cited as evidence of India's claim to Aksai Chin. The British in the 19th century surveyed and proposed the Johnson Line, which India largely follows, while a later Macartney-MacDonald Line offered more of Aksai Chin to China. China's post-WWII assertion of control over Tibet significantly altered the geopolitical landscape, leading to India's decision not to claim China's permanent UN Security Council seat. In recent decades, China's 'salami-slicing' strategy, involving incremental incursions and infrastructure development, has led to the loss of Indian control over several patrolling points. Despite agreements prohibiting firearms, recent clashes, like the 2020 Galwan Valley incident, have resulted in casualties and highlighted China's continued territorial ambitions, while India rapidly builds up its own border infrastructure.