Causes of tension between India- China Relations

• Border Disputes:
  • Western Sector (Ladakh):
    • The Johnson Line proposed by the British placedAksai Chin in the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
    • China rejected the Johnson Line and favored the McDonald Line,asserting control over Aksai Chin.
    • Though Aksai Chin is administered by China, India’s official position on the issue is that, by virtue of it being a part of Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh), the region remains an integral part of India.
  • Middle Sector (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand):
    • The Middle Sector has a relatively minor dispute, with India and China exchanging maps where they broadly agree on the LAC.
  • Eastern Sector (Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim):
    • China considers the McMahon Lineillegal and unacceptable claiming that Tibetan representatives who had signed the 1914 Convention held in Shimla which delineated the McMahon Line on the map did not have the right to do so.
• Border Incursions:
  • • The border between India and China is not clearly demarcated throughout and there is no mutually agreed Line of Actual Control (LAC)along certain stretches.
    • Border confrontations have occurred in different instances, including Demchokin 2014, Depsang in 2015, Doklam in 2017, and the Galwan incident in 2020.
• Water Sharing:
  • • China''s advantageous geographical positioning creates an asymmetry that allows it to capitalize on the reliance of downstream nations, such as India, on hydrological data.
    • There are concerns over China''s dam-building activities on transboundary rivers, including the Brahmaputra, which have led to tensions over water-sharing issues.
• Tibet Issue:
  • • India hosts the Tibetan government-in-exile and spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, which has been a point of contention with China.
    • China accuses India of supporting Tibetan separatism, while India maintains that it respects the "One China"policy but allows the Tibetan community to reside in India.
• Trade Imbalance:
  • • India’s trade deficit with China reached the historically high level of USD 87 billion in 2022.
    • Complex regulatory requirements, intellectual property rights violations, and a lack of transparency in business dealings present challenges for Indian businesses seeking access to the Chinese market.
• Concerns over Belt and Road Initiative (BRI):
  • • India''s main objection to the BRI is that it includes the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a territory that India claims as its own.
    • India also argues that the BRI projects should respect the international norms, rule of law, and financial sustainability, and should not create debt traps or environmental and social risks for the host countries.

Suggestions

• Diplomatic Engagement: Maintain regular high-level meetings and negotiations to address issues and build trust.
• Border Management: Strengthen border management mechanisms to prevent tensions and ensure peace and stability.
• Economic Cooperation with Caution: Balance economic cooperation while protecting domestic industries and reducing dependence on Chinese imports.
• Enhancing Strategic Alliances: Strengthen partnerships with like-minded countries to balance China''s influence and promote regional stability.
• Defense Preparedness: Strengthen defense capabilities to protect national interests and maintain deterrence.
• Political Consultations for Peaceful Resolution: Political commitment and mutual dialogue are essential for resolving border disputes between India and China.
• Military Communication: Maintaining effective military-tomilitary communication can help prevent and resolve border-related issues, ensuring peace and tranquility.