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Forum: Security Council Issue: Measures to address the Sino-Indian border dispute Student Officer: Htet Wadi Naing (Wendy) Position: Chair Introduction Reports of tension between India and China over two separate pieces of territory are rife in the media nowadays. The territory in question refers to a land area of approximately 125,000 2 km ,​ which can be divided into three sectors: Western, Middle, and Eastern as shown in the ​ figure below. The eastern sector, currently known as the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh, consists of the McMahon Line, which runs from the tri-junction between India, China, and Bhutan from the west of Brahmaputra River in the east, largely along the crest of the Himalayas. The border of the middle sector is about 450 km long and begins from the tri-junction between the Southwestern of Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, La Dwags and Punjab to the tri-junction between Nepal, China, and India. The middle sector is the only sector where India and China have mutually agreed upon set borders; thus, the disputation in the middle sector is minor, with only 2 2000 km o​ f land under dispute. However, the boundary dispute in the western sector is the ​ most prominent dispute amongst the three sectors. Aksai Chin, the most disputed area in the western sector, occupies approximately 2 33,500 km o​ f land ​ and is currently governed by China even though India claims that the two countries share this border. There is no distinct demarcation of border lines along certain stretches of the territory under discussion nor is there a mutually agreed Line of Actual Control (LAC) between China and India. Following its Independence from the British, India believed that it had inherited firm boundaries, but this was contrary to China’s belief. China adamantly assumed that the borders were theirs to keep (Zhang). Special representatives from both parties have met a number of times to arrive at a framework for the basis of the delineation and demarcation of the border, but none have provided successful means so far. Almost six decades have passed since the first dispute, but the issue remains undecided, rendering the Sino-Indian border dispute to be the most prolonged dispute in the world. It is of utmost importance that the Security Council, responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security under the United Nations Charter, approaches this issue with thorough consideration to provide meaningful solutions. Definition of Key Terms Territorial dispute The Merriam Webster dictionary defines “territorial dispute” as “a disagreement about who controls a particular territory.” A territorial dispute is often the result of ambiguous language in a treaty that set up the first boundary and is closely tied to the possession of natural resources. Intrusion The term intrusion refers to “the act of wrongfully entering upon, seizing, or taking possession of property of another.” Incursion The Merriam Webster dictionary defines incursion as “hostile entrance to a territory.” Therefore, the terms “intrusion” and “incursion” have related meanings and can be often used interchangeably. Violation Violation is defined as the act of breaking or failing to comply with a rule or formal agreement. This term is synonymous to the terms “transgression” and “infringement.” Line of Actual Control (LAC) ​ The Line of Actual Control is a 4,057 km long, porous border that transverses three areas of northern Indian states. Formed after the 1962 war, the LAC is considered to be the demarcation line that divides Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory. McMahon Line The McMahon Line is the border line proposed by British colonial administrator Henry McMahon in 1914 and is located between Tibetan region of China and the northeast region of India. History The Sino-Indian border dispute is not recent as the issue has dated back to more than sixty years. Nevertheless, tensions have escalated considerably compared to past years. Independence of India and Formation of People’s Republic of China Shortly after the independence of the Republic of India and the formation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1979, the Indian government set a policy to maintain cordial relations with China. However, when the People’s Republic of China declared its occupancy in Tibet, the Republic of India sent a letter of disapproval, which proposed negotiations on the Tibet issue. It is known that China was more active in deploying troops on the Aksai Chin border than any other Indian republic was. In addition to this, China had undertaken massive projects for road construction to support its presence in Tibet. Following this event, India still abided by its policy to maintain genial relations with China regardless of China’s occupation in Tibet. Since China had been isolated from many issues related to the world, India even attempted to become China’s representative in such matters as India was extremely concerned about its unsteady relationship with China. India’s Memo to the Chinese Government On October 18th, 1958, India sent a memo to the Chinese government, claiming Aksai Chin as Indian territory. In the memo to Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, wrote, “There can be no question of these large parts of India (shown as within China on the Chinese map) being anything but India and there is no dispute about it” (Zhang). Several months after this event, Zhou Enlai responded by highlighting several points such as: 1) “Both countries’ borders had never been formally demarcated; 2) Border disputes do exist between China and India; 3) The Aksai Chin was China’s land and had always been under Chinese jurisdiction and 4) Though the McMahon line was illegal, China would consider accepting it if it could legitimize the McMahon line while India waived or sharply modified its claim to Akai Thin” (Zhang). However, this proposal was rejected by Jawaharlal Nehru, who deemed these accusations to be untrue and unfair. India claimed that there should be no compromise or negotiations. Hence, tensions between China and India continued to rise in all sectors of the Sino-Indian border. Sino-Indo War (October 20, 1962 to November 21, 1962) On October 20, 1962, China launched an attack by surrounding an Indian post at Chushu with 350 Chinese troops and convincing the Gurkhas to stop fighting for India. Since India never suspected that China would ever launch an attack, the Indian army was not prepared for war. After a clash between the two armies at Kongka Pass, nine Indian policemen were killed. On November 21, 1962, China declared a unilateral ceasefire and the war ended with China’s victory. Timeline of Relevant Resolutions, Treaties, and Events Date Description of Event 30 December 1949 India becomes the second non-communist nation to recognize the People’s Republic of China after its proclamation on 1 October 1949. 7 October 1950 Chinese troops cross the Sino-Tibetan boundary and move towards Lhasa. May 1951 China forces the Tibetan Governor of Chamdo to concede full suzerainty over Tibet. 15 May 1954 China and India sign the Panchsheel document. 2 March 1955 India objects to the inclusion of a portion of India’s northern frontier on the official map of China, saying it was a clear infringement of Panchsheel. 18 December 1956 Chinese nationals who entered Ladakh were illegally detained and later sent back to China. 4 September 1958 India officially objects to the inclusion of a big chuck of Northern Assam and NEFA in the China Pictorial - an official organ of the People’s Republic of China. 8 September 1959 China refuses to accept the McMohan Line with Zhou Enlai stating that China was not a signatory to the 1842 Peace Treaty between British, India, and England. 15-18 November 1962 A massive Chinese attack on the eastern front, Tawang, Walong. 30 November 1965 Chinese troops intrude into north Sikkim and NEFA. 1970 Informal contacts between the Indian and Chinese diplomats established. November 1996 Chinese President Jiang Zemin visits India, signs Agreement on Confidence Building Measures in the military field along the LAC in the India-China Border Areas. 1 April 2000 India and China commemorate 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. April 2013 The Chinese troops intrude into Depsang Bulge in East Ladakh, approximately 19 km inside our perception of the LAC. Key Issues Line of Actual Control (LAC) One of the main reasons why the Sino-Indian border dispute remains unresolved to this very day is the fact that there is no Line of Actual Control that is agreed upon by both nations. The perceptions of the Line of Actual Control differ at many places and because of these differing opinions, tensions cannot be minimized. Periodically, either due to a misunderstanding or local posturing by India or China, frictions have erupted into conflict. It is of the Security Council’s best interest to provide an agreed-upon Line of Actual Control that will satisfy the needs of both nations. Water Issues Between India and China Universally, water is regarded as a valuable commodity as it is essential for human existence. Thus, the possession of water bestows wealth and power. In the case of India and China, water issues have proliferated and have contributed to tensions resulting from the border dispute. There are four rivers that flow across China and India, therefore, the two nations must achieve a better understanding of water sharing that benefits both the nations equally. However, China’s advantage over these rivers have deprived India of the benefits. Territorial Dispute Between India and Pakistan Although the territorial dispute between India and Pakistan may seem unrelated to the Sino-Indian border dispute at first glance, this issue is a contributing key factor to the tensions between China and India.

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