For quite some time, India and China have been locked in a standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a disputed border between the two nuclear-armed nations.  Since at least 20 Indian soldiers were killed, it has become a major story in South Asia.  Beijing has yet to comment on the casualties, but it has been reported that five PLA soldiers died as well.  This is the most serious standoff between the two regional powers in more than 45 years.  In this article, we will discuss issues between India and China withdrawing their forces from the disputed territory.  However, the India China geopolitical Tensions have led to consequences of this struggle and its repercussions for the larger South cannot be overlooked.

What is Project 73 of India to tackle China?

Between the growing tension between India and China, India has started the construction of 73 roads on the border with China, of which 27 roads will be constructed by the Ministry of Home Affairs and 46 roads by the Defense Ministry.  Therefore, India’s construction of these 73 roads has been named Project 73.  The construction of 30 roads for this project has been completed.

Why is China creating a problem for India?

According to India China Geopolitical tensions, China is not attempting to cause issues for India on purpose; rather, it is attempting to carry out its ambitious goals to become a superpower and possibly replace the United States. The basic question which arises here is Why is China creating problems for India? Well, the answer lies in the expansionist policy of each country running after grabbing more and more power. Being a large and influential country on the subcontinent, India appears to get in the way of China’s objectives at times.

The United States’ new government has created some unrest, with the electorate utterly divided and many people opposing Donald Trump’s presidency.  Furthermore, a shift in leadership from Democrat to Republican sets the stage for a full policy overhaul.  The United States has recently begun to back away from its foreign commitments and roles.  This has produced a leadership vacuum in the international community, which India China tensions are aggravating.

Six flashpoints on Issues between India and China

Indo-China relations have been tumultuous and lacking in confidence since formally establishing diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in 1950, with long-standing and unresolved territorial problems proving to be the biggest sticking point between the neighbours.  Even when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands on the Sabarmati riverfront later this week, these issues between India and China must be resolved immediately if significant progress between the two largest economies in Asia is to be made.

1. Border Dispute: Border conflicts between the two nations have persisted for many years and remain unsolved, making them the most significant point in Sino-Indian ties.  While various territorial land pockets (14 divisions) have been disputed along the 3488-kilometre border (Line of Actual Control), the two primary unsolved concerns are Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh.

1. Border Incursions: Border incursions/intrusions have been a key stumbling block to repairing relations between India and China Geopolitical tensions due to various unresolved territory claims by both countries.  Along the Line of Actual Control, both countries have been beefing up their military posture (LAC). 

1. Tibet: The unsolved Tibet problem is at the heart of India’s relations with China.  In 1950, Chinese soldiers invaded Tibet to retake and reassert China’s control over the province, which was recognised after both parties signed the Seventeen Point Agreement.  Tibet declared independence from China in 1913.

1. Pearls on a string – The India China geopolitical tensions influence in the Indian Ocean has become one of India’s growing concerns in the last decade or so.  It entails building commercial ports in several nations as part of its new “Silk Route,” which is dubbed the “string of pearls” in wonk-speak.

1. Dispute over water – While China is already embroiled in several water-sharing issues with nations such as Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam over the Mekong River, its ambitions are to build multiple dams on the higher reaches of the Brahmaputra (known in China as Tsangpo) have angered New Delhi.

1. Unbalanced trade – In 1978, India and China resumed formal trade relations.  Six years later, the two countries signed the most favoured country (MFN) agreement.  In the year 2000, India’s commerce with China was as low as $2.92 billion.

Conclusion:

The situation between China and India is heading towards de-escalation, but this is in no way the end of tensions that are coming ahead.  The Indian government has banned 59 Chinese apps ( the same question arises here as well Why is China creating problems for India?), mainly the famous TikTok app, with more than 200 million users in India.  The economic impact of the rift between India and China will be understood much more clearly in the coming months since both have a trade of $100 billion, and given how badly COVID-19 has damaged their economies, the wiggle room is very little for both regional powers.  In the end, it seems it will come down to who blinks first.