Link: https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/13/china/taiwan-india-tensions-mic-intl-hnk/index.html
Summary: As China tightens their militaristic stronghold on the border of their country, both Taiwan and India face tensions. China in recent months has caused conflict over territory and borders, with recent weeks focus being on the Taiwan strait. Now, the conflict seems to have shifted to the LAC> There has been talk of detainment of troops from both Indian and Chinese sides, while still unverified. The line of actual control, also known as the LAC, is the border between India and China, settled in a mountainous, dangerous region. There have been multiple disputes in the area, including a violent and deadly clash that took place in June 2020. China has blamed the US and Joe Biden for the increasing tensions, citing that they have joined forces with India to supposedly thwart China’s growth. Now, there are bubbling disputes between China, Taiwan and India, that could potentially grow into a territorial battle.
Analysis: This situation, in my opinion, requires some kind of intervention into China’s border practices. As the India’s ministry statement says, ” The Indian side pointed out that the situation along the LAC had been caused by unilateral attempts of the Chinese side to alter the status quo and in violation of the bilateral agreements,” implying that China is no longer cooperating with the LAC border agreement. Since China is basically accusing India of the same thing, it is hard to know which side is really committing these violations. Monitoring is definitely needed from both sides of the border, to ensure that no more deadly altercations take place and order is maintained between militaries. China’s blaming of the US seems to be valid in their concerns of the US and India plotting against them, but could not, in my opinion, be a valid reason for this border dispute and lack of cooperation. India and China have a long and complicated history that requires communication and order to not repeat.
How does this relate to IR: Border disputes are very important in international relations, as borders are fundamental to nations and order. This contains a lot of concepts of international security on both sides, as military tensions increase and border security decreases. Territorial integrity is a big part of this dispute, with lack of respect for this on either side can cause violence and death. The idea of mutual respect being important also plays a big role in the discussion of why this is happening.