Fence Sitting, Prolonged Talks: The India–China Boundary Dispute

Abstract

Despite their national power indicators, India and China’s 4,000-odd-km boundary dispute continues to evoke uncertainty in their bilateral equations. A series of measures were undertaken in 1978, 1993, 1996 and 2011–2012 to address matters, but both nations have enhanced their military presence and modernisation, leaving the boundary dispute unresolved and leading to speculation about regional stability. Several legal and political suggestions have been put forward to resolve this issue; yet, each side cites difficulties in going ahead. Functionally divided into western, middle and eastern sectors, the boundary dispute evokes strong sentiments in both countries, though the increasing nationalist rhetoric in China on the issue is of recent vintage. This paper argues that until both countries resolve this issue, tensions can be expected to spiral, affecting bilateral relations for years and decades to come. That said, it isn’t as though it is a case of clear and present danger for the two.