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Daily News Analysis ‘India–China Border Agreements: 1993 and 1996’ : 8 September

Table of Content
Background:
  • After Rajiv Gandhi’s 1988 visit to Beijing, India and China began structured talks on the border issue.
  • Six rounds of talks were held between 1988–1993, involving both diplomats and military officials.
  • Border trade resumed (1992), consulates reopened, and Defence Minister Sharad Pawar visited Beijing (1992).

1993 Border Peace and Tranquillity Agreement (BPTA)

  • Signed during PM P.V. Narasimha Rao’s visit to Beijing.
  • Main Features:
    • Boundary issue to be resolved peacefully; no use of force.
    • Both sides to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and withdraw if overstepped.
    • Joint verification of disputed LAC segments.
    • Minimal forces along the LAC; reductions to be based on mutual and equal security.
  • Aim: Freeze the situation on the border and build relations on other fronts.

1996 Agreement on CBMs (Confidence-Building Measures)

  • Signed during Chinese President Jiang Zemin’s visit to India.
  • Main Features:
    • No use of force; respect for the LAC.
    • Reduction/limits on military forces and heavy weapons (tanks, artillery, missiles).
    • No large-scale military exercises near the LAC; if held, direction should be away from the border.
    • Both sides to exchange maps to clarify the LAC alignment.

Challenges:

  • Exchange of LAC maps in 2000 (Central Sector) and 2002 (Western Sector) failed as both sides showed maximalist positions.
  • By 2005, map exchange was abandoned.
  • Lack of a common definition of the LAC led to recurring face-offs (e.g., Eastern Ladakh 2020).

Significance:

  • The 1993 and 1996 agreements were the first formal recognition of the LAC and established military CBMs.
  • However, without clarification of the LAC, tensions and clashes have continued.
Why in News?
  • The 1993 Border Peace and Tranquillity Agreement (BPTA) has completed 30 years, and experts are reviewing how it shaped India–China border management but failed to prevent recent clashes such as Galwan (2020).