The Sino-Indian border is an old problem entangled by the two big powers in the Himalayas. From the blurred boundary line left over from the colonial era, it has now become a hot spot of military confrontation.
India has been under great pressure in recent years, especially after the Galwan Valley fighting broke out in 2020. Both sides deployed troops and built roads and bridges, making the border like a powder keg.
The Indian army faced high altitude and cold weather in the Rakhine region, logistics supplies could not keep up, soldiers were upset and practical control was becoming more and more passive. Retreat 400 meters for 4 years of peace.
The entire length of the border between China and India is more than 3,000 kilometers, divided by three sections in the east and west, and the western section of Radaq is the most bustling place.In history, the British-designed McMahon line and the Chinese Qing government have not completely matched the top, leaving a bunch of controversy.
After the 1962 war, the two sides signed a number of agreements, 1993 and 1996 agreements to maintain border peace, and 2005 political parameters, both wanted to go through diplomatic control.
But these paper things didn't completely solve the problem, and the friction continued.
Starting in May 2020, India built roads into the disputed area, Chinese troops also moved, and in June in the Calvary Valley conflict, India killed more than 20 people, China four people, this is the first death incident in 45 years.
Afterwards, the two sides massively increased troops, India dropped 50,000 troops, China also strengthened its presence, and the border infrastructure race began.
Ladakh is more than 4000 meters above sea level, minus 30 degrees in winter, and only 40% of the oxygen in the plains. Indian soldiers carry equipment while patrolling climbing mountains, and supply trucks glide on ice and snow roads, often cutting off supplies.
The food is mainly flatbread curry, with little protein, and the soldiers are malnourished and lose their strength quickly.
China's infrastructure is well-built, there are many roadside supply stations, and the advantages are obvious. by 2023, 26 of India's 65 patrol points will not be able to move because China has inspection stations and cameras.
Especially near the Depsan Plain and the Karakoram Pass, Indian patrols have to be notified in advance, otherwise even herdsmen and livestock will not be able to pass through. This situation has shrunk India's space for activities.
In January 2023, at the annual meeting of senior national police officers held in New Delhi, Leh-Ladakh Police Chief P.D. Nitya submitted the report, From the mountainside of Kalahari to the front line of Yummar, the Indian security forces monitored the actual control line using 65 patrol points.But from December 2021, 26 points are limited.
China has installed cameras on multiple checkpoints, and the two tanks are confronted at a distance of 400 meters in the sensitive area, with high risk and great pressure on the soldiers.
Nitya suggested that the Indian forces withdraw 400 meters afterwards and create a buffer zone in exchange for China's four years without trouble.
She also mentioned that there are no residents and no economic activities in these spots, and the cost of guarding them is high. In winter, soldiers suffer from lack of oxygen and freezing, their logistics is unstable, their diet is rich in carbohydrates and less meat, and their physical strength declines. The report believes that this step back can give India a breather, adjust its strategy and boost morale.
After the meeting, this proposal spread. Some people said it was pragmatic, while others criticized it as weak, but it promoted the diplomacy between the two countries.
After the report came out, there was heated internal discussions in India, but it was not implemented immediately. In July 2023, China and India agreed to disengage from patrol point 15 in the Ladakgra-Hot Spring Area and withdraw some forward troops.
This is the first step of easing. After that, the two sides continued negotiations, and on October 21, 2024, they finally signed an agreement to gradually withdraw troops and resume patrols.
Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said on October 22 that this has completed the separation process, returned to the pre-2020 model, and built a buffer zone to ease tensions. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the next day.
Specifics of the agreement: In the Depresan Plains and Dumbledore, patrol twice a month, coordinate time scale, with monitoring conflict.
The arrangement brought a brief calm, and the Indian military took advantage of improving the front, increasing the distribution of meat, and optimizing logistics.
This incident reflects India's plight on the Sino-Indian border. Ladakh has a dangerous terrain, India has a long supply line, relies on mountain roads, and road closures are common in winter. China has fast infrastructure construction, many highways and bridges, and stable logistics.
Indian soldiers remained at high altitude for a long time, with many health problems and morality affected.The 26 patrol points to be out of control equal to acknowledging weakened territorial control.
After 2020, India banned Chinese APPs and reduced trade exchanges. However, economically, China is India's largest trading partner. In 2023, the trade volume will exceed US $100 billion, and India has a large deficit.
Militarily, India has increased its military budget and purchased weapons, but China has strong military strength and advanced border deployment.
The proposed withdrawal of 400 meters, the essence of which is to acknowledge the reality and struggle for a time of mitigation. Four years of peace, is not worth the follow-up. After the agreement, in November 2024, the troops continue to separate, the Indian patrol is restored, but the buffer zone patrol needs to be coordinated, equal to sharing space.
As an emerging economy, China-India cooperation can bring the development of South Asia, and vice versa will stress the bad things. agreement is the key, but the road is still long, the two sides must cooperate in mutual trust.
References:
India to build 44 roads on China-India border to ensure rapid mobilization of troops in wartime World Times 2019-01-14
2. The Chinese and Indian militaries have achieved disengagement at 4 points in the western section of the border. The situation on the China-India border is generally stable and controllable, Western Theater Area, China Embassy in India 2024-05-12