Link to Article: https://apnews.com/article/china-india-border-dispute-d808afcdb6eb7a5deab3babea425bc6f
This relatively short article gives an update on relations between China and India, stating that representatives from both China and India have agreed to begin working on a solution to their border dispute in the Himalayas. In the recent past, especially in 2020, tensions surrounding the ownership of this territory have heightened, even culminating in a brawl between Indian and Chinese soldiers and the first firing of warning shots in 45 years. Previously, there had been talks about how to settle this territory dispute, but so far no solution has been reached. However, China’s foreign ministry stated that they will seek “fair and reasonable” solutions.
The Himalayas lie directly on a long disputed border between China and India, the Sino-Indian border. Historically, this border has always been vague and relatively undefined — and what was defined was defined by the British, a demarcation that has been rejected by China. The importance of the Himalayas is based both in security and economics. The Himalayas are home to several resources and provide a natural barrier between the two countries, making it much more difficult to invade. Because of the importance of the region and the historical contention surrounding it, it’s unlikely that any major shifts in the borders are going to occur without significant pushback from either China or India.
Obviously, entering another war over this border is not ideal for either India or China. However, both have different impressions about where the border is or where the border should be. Both countries also have large ambitions about their roles in Asia, ambitions that are incompatible with each other. That’s all to say that there’s no easy solution to a dispute such as this. The best way forward for both is to reach some sort of agreement — one that they, most likely, will both be unhappy with — and ensure no more significant conflict ensues. Despite the recent incidents around the border, China and India have relatively good relations as a whole, particularly in trade, that are not worth compromising over this issue.
Both China and India are operating from a defensive realist perspective wherein they’re attempting to retain their power in Asia by securing this border (as well as by strengthening their economy with the resources in the Himalayas). Each state is attempting to bolster their national security by securing this natural protection. And, through securing this power, each state hopes to inch closer to becoming something of a regional hegemon.