Focus: GS 2: International Relations
Why in news?
Three weeks after the worst military clashes in decades, India and China have begun the process of disengagement at contentious locations along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC)
More about news
- In the Galwan Valley, Chinese troops have shifted 2 kilometres from the site of the June 15 violent clashes while some tents had been removed by the PLA in the Finger 4 area of Pangong Tso
- first the de-escalation would take place at all the friction points Galwan, Pangong Tso, Hot Springs and then “depth areas” such as Depsang plains
Pangong Tso issue
- Pangong Tso is one of the most contentious areas of the current standoffs,
- PLA moved about 8 km inside up to Finger 4. India’s claim is till Finger 8 as per the alignment of the LAC
What caused the disengagement of troops?
As part of an understanding reached during the June 30 Corps Commander level talks
What led to the current situation?
- In 2017, India and China agreed to amicably resolve the Doklam standoff that lasted for more than two months. No blood was spilt then.
- Barring occasional joint statements issued with leaders from the U.S. and Asia-Pacific countries, reasserting India’s commitment to “freedom of navigation”, India has stayed away from criticising China on controversial topics.
- One argument is that China’s move is driven by local factors such as India’s infrastructure upgrade and its decision to change the status of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
- There is a clear shift in Chinese foreign policy post the COVID-19 outbreak.
- This is seen in China’s rising tensions with the U.S., its threats against Taiwan, repeated naval incidents in the South China Sea, and a new security law for Hong Kong. The tensions along the LAC are part of this shift.
