Sino-India Border Standoff 2020

 

The China–India conflict is a part of an ongoing military standoff between China and India. Since 5 May 2020, Chinese and Indian troops have reportedly engaged in aggressive face-offs and skirmishes at locations along the Sino-Indian Border, including near the disputed Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh. Additional clashes are ongoing at locations in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that has persisted since the 1962 Sino-India War.

 


Cause of India-China standoff:-

The India-China standoff started due to the dissent of China on the construction of road in the Galwan river valley. Though the road built by India was under Indian Territory, China didn't hesitate in objectifying it. Since the road was under Indian Territory, Indian army generals didn't understood the dissatisfaction of China and went on constructing of the road. Eventually, China's disagreement led PLA(People's Liberation Army) intrude Indian territory and construction of tents along Galwan river and other disputed areas along Sino-India border, LAC and Pangong Tso lake.

According to satellite images, PLA intruded 423 meters inside Indian Territory. In response to this, Indian army was deployed in the areas where intrusion and construction took place.

 

Diplomatic response by GOI:-

 

After the first conflict took place, on 5–6 May 2020 at Pangong Tso, Foreign Secretary of India Harsh Vardhan called Sun Weidong, the Chinese ambassador to India. Then, Ajit Doval talked to the CPC Politburo member, Yang Jiechi, who is also a top diplomat under CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping. On 28 May, in a press conference, Indian spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Anurag Srivastava, maintained that there are enough bilateral mechanisms to solve border disputes diplomatically.

Four bilateral treaties between India and China to address border disputes:-

1.) 1993 Agreement of Peace

2.) 1996 Border Agreement

3.) 2005 PP Discussion

4.) 2012&13 Border Defence Agreement

The Border Personnel Meeting points saw rounds of military talks in May–June; first between colonels and on 2 June, more than three rounds between major generals. Unfortunately all these talks were unsuccessful. Some Indian military sources said that India was still unclear with China's demands. Similar rounds of talk between Indian and Chinese commanders followed but China never came with a clear demand.

 

Galwan Valley Clash:-

On 15 June, Indian and Chinese troops clashed for six hours in a precipitous section of a mountainous region in the Galwan Valley. The immediate cause of the incident is unknown, with both sides releasing contradictory official statements.

 

Aftermath of Galwan Valley Clash:-

 

After the Galwan Valley Clash, Indians got outraged on the incident and started boycott of Chinese products and breaking of Chinese products. Politics also fuelled up after the Galwan Valley Clash as the failure of Diplomacy by the Modi govt. got questioned by the INC.

INC as opposition raised major questions on the failure of Diplomacy of the Modi govt which led to a violent clash between the troops of India and China after 45 years. After slugfest between the two political parties, the ruling party finally decided to take a strong retaliation towards China. Regarding a strong measure against China, BJP called an all party meeting on June 17th. Though the decision of an all party meeting was taken very late, it was a magnificent decision. After concluding the all party meet, honorable PM Modi addressed the nation and told the citizens of India about the important points discussed in the all party meet.

After the incident of Galwan, several senior diplomats of China began demanding for Galwan Valley and also claimed that Galwan Valley is theirs. Foreign ministry of China and PLA shamelessly quoted "Galwan Valley is ours, Indian troops should retract from the Galwan Valley or we will unilaterally change the status quo ante of the location. Rounds of talk between the Defence ministry of India and China followed after 17th June. Top commander meetings were also held at high altitudes but all the meetings were in vain as China agreed on peace on papers but followed aggression on the ground.


On July 3, keeping in view, the situation, PM Modi visited Nimu, Leh to monitor the situation of Indian army and also motivated them. PM praised the efforts of Indian army to save Indian Territory. PM Modi also applauded Indian army in controlling PLA aggression.

Rounds of meeting between Indian and Chinese commanders bearded a good result on 11 July when China agreed on complete disengagement.

 

Economic Impacts of India-China Border Row:-

India-China Border standoff sowed

 Seeds of difficulties for both the nations.

Economic Impacts encompass:-

1.) High cost of medical equipments imported from China.

2.) India cancelled agreements with China regarding construction of highways.

3.) India banned 59 Chinese apps adding up huge loss to China.

4.) India cancelled power plant project with China.

 

Conclusion:-

The India-China Border standoff caused severe problems and difficulties to both nations whether it was loss of troops or economic slowdown. The India-China disengagement process is still underway (According to unverified Government sources). In some hot springs and along Pangong Tso Lake, China still disagree to collaborate with India. Some sources also say that LAC has been shifted westward and the Chinese have occupied 1 km of Galwan, 8 Km of depsang, PP-14 and several other Indian territories. Hence, it's still not clear that whether China is satisfied with the diplomatic talks or not.