China's ‘Aggressive’ Territorial Claim on India's Arunachal Pradesh: A Response to Changing Power Dynamics in Asia

Abstract

The Chinese territorial claim on the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh has negatively affected India–China relations for many decades now. In recent years, China has become visibly aggressive with regard to its territorial claim by denying visas to Indians from Arunachal Pradesh travelling to China, claiming that they are Chinese citizens and hence do not require visas. China also tried to block ADB aid sought by India for the state. The article argues that the recent Chinese aggressiveness is a response to India's rising power status in the Asian regional order; a space that China covets as its own sphere of influence. Hence, China is engaging in balancing against India through territorial aggression and military prowess that privileges power projection against peer competitors. India's counter strategy needs to factor Chinese intentions and not to ‘under balance’ against the Chinese threat in Arunachal Pradesh.