Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: India and Its Neighbourhood, Issue: LAC Leverage by China.
Context:
China has underscored that it is intentionally exploiting ambiguity over the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and unresolved border disputes as a strategic lever against India, particularly in the Eastern Sector, including Arunachal Pradesh.
Key Takeaways:
- The India-China boundary dispute centers on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a de facto military line spanning over 3,400 km across Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
- Rooted in colonial-era agreements and post-independence claims, it remains unresolved despite decades of talks.
Historical Origins of the LAC and McMahon Line:
- McMahon Line (1914): Emerged from the Simla Conference (1913-14) between British India, Tibet, and China.
- Tibet and British India exchanged letters formalizing the traditional boundary in the Eastern Sector (Arunachal Pradesh).
- All parties initialed the draft, but China refused to sign the final convention over unrelated Tibet internal boundaries—not the India-Tibet line. Tibet had treaty-making rights, recognized by China, and Beijing lacked control over Tibet until 1950.
- China’s Post-1911 Weakness: After the Qing dynasty’s fall, China exercised no effective control over Tibet. Communist forces entered only in 1950, underscoring the McMahon Line’s legitimacy as a British India-Tibet agreement.
- LAC Concept (1959): Introduced by Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in a letter to Nehru, defining it as the line up to which each side exercised “actual control.” Zhou proposed 20 km withdrawals, but Nehru rejected it.
- Post-1962 war, China withdrew from some areas but occupied Aksai Chin, making the LAC a “fait accompli.”
Evolution and Ambiguities of the LAC:
- Post-1962 Shifts: Zhou’s 1962 letter referenced a “1959 LAC” map, which India rejected as it legitimized Aksai Chin occupation. China’s claim line in Ladakh (Western Sector) shifted adversely for India since 1956, with post-war occupation exceeding claims.
- Sector-Wise Differences:
| Sector | Chinese Position | Indian Position |
| Eastern (Arunachal) | LAC not fully McMahon Line; literal map interpretation | McMahon Line along highest watershed |
| Western (Ladakh) | Aligns with shifting claim line | Rejects Chinese advances beyond 1959 |
| Middle (Uttarakhand/HP) | Claims pockets south of watershed | Watershed as natural boundary |
| Sikkim | Accepts 1890 Anglo-Chinese watershed but claims Indian pockets | Full watershed adherence |
- Flexibility as Leverage: China views LAC as “movable,” using ambiguity for pressure. e.g., differing patrol understandings leading to clashes like Galwan (2020).
Negotiation History and Chinese Tactics:
- Key Agreements:
- 1993/1996: Confidence-Building Measures; no crossing LAC without clarification.
- 2005 Political Parameters: India (led by Kantha) rejected “substantive concessions” in East for Western gains; secured clause protecting “settled populations” (safeguarding Tawang).
- 2020 Disengagement: Partial in Pangong Lake, but full Ladakh patrolling impasse persists.
- Practice vs. Rhetoric: China adheres to LAC in most areas but tests via military presence, believing time favors them amid India’s development.
India’s Response and Strategic Imperatives:
- Deterrence Focus: Reinforce Eastern Sector defenses against Ladakh-style operations; treat claims seriously, not as ploys.
- Risks: Potential incursions in Arunachal; need robust infrastructure, surveillance.
China exploits LAC ambiguity and rejected McMahon Line claims for leverage, shifting from settlement to pressure. India must bolster deterrence, infrastructure, and diplomacy to safeguard borders amid evolving geopolitics.
Source: The Indian Express
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