China-India Border Dispute Resumes After 2 Years... The 'LAC' That Sparks Conflict

First Conflict Since 2020 Galwan Valley Bloodshed
Continued Incursions Across China’s Line of Actual Control (LAC)... India Under Pressure

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Military tensions are escalating as Chinese and Indian soldiers clashed in the border area for the first time in over two years. In response to China's continuous military pressure, India conducted joint exercises with the U.S. military near the border area, raising concerns about a potential future conflict between the U.S. and China.

The main point of dispute between the two countries is the so-called "Line of Actual Control (LAC)," which currently serves as the de facto border. The dispute has prolonged as the Chinese government has expressed dissatisfaction with the LAC, established by a border agreement between the British and the Republic of China governments in the early 20th century, and has claimed sovereignty over some areas effectively controlled by India.

China-India troops clash for the first time in 2 years... "Minor injuries"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to Indian ANI news agency on the 12th (local time), Chinese and Indian soldiers clashed on the 9th near the border area of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. Sources report that several soldiers on both sides sustained minor injuries, and both sides withdrew from the area immediately after the clash.

This clash between the two countries' soldiers is the first in over two years since the violent confrontation in June 2020 in the Galwan Valley border area, which resulted in dozens of deaths. The incident reportedly occurred accidentally when the Chinese military approached the LAC and the Indian military strongly resisted. Both India and China’s foreign ministries have refrained from making official statements regarding the clash.

The Chinese government has long claimed sovereignty over about 90,000 square kilometers of Arunachal Pradesh, asserting it as part of Tibet under Chinese rule, and has been in prolonged confrontation with India, which effectively controls the area.

The dispute between the two militaries intensified especially after 2017, when the U.S.-China trade conflict escalated. At that time, Chinese and Indian troops engaged in a 73-day military standoff in the Doklam area north of Sikkim in northeastern India. Later in 2020, violent clashes occurred in areas such as Pangong Lake and the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, resulting in bloodshed.

Main cause of dispute: LAC, border demarcation unresolved for 60 years

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The primary cause of the dispute between the two countries is attributed to accidental clashes due to the unclear demarcation of the LAC. The LAC, which stretches over 4,000 km along the boundary between China and India, has served as the de facto border for over a century, but the Chinese government does not officially recognize it.

The LAC stands for "Line of Actual Control" and is based on the "McMahon Line," a boundary established in 1914 by the British government, which then colonized India, the independent Tibet, and the Republic of China. Although China and India tentatively agreed on the LAC as the boundary line in 1996, disputes continue in some sections.

The Chinese government does not officially recognize the LAC because the original border agreement involved the British, Tibet, and the Republic of China?entities that China currently does not recognize, particularly the Tibetan government. Since China has replaced the Republic of China with the People's Republic of China, it insists that a new border agreement is necessary.

However, tensions over sovereignty claims, including in the key disputed region of Ladakh, escalated to the point where the two countries fought a war lasting nine months in 1962. Since then, India and China have attempted border negotiations for 60 years, but progress has been limited.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.