The #IndiaChina border is 3488 km long, not the LAC. The India-China border as India defines it extends eastward from the India-Afghanistan-China trijunction far west of the Karakoram pass to the India-Myanmar-China trijunction in the Eastern Sector.1/n
Which is why the border from that western trijunction to the India-Myanmar-China trijunction in the Eastern Sector is 3488 km long. Chinese refuse to discuss stretch west of #KarakoramPass which
largely covers so-called border between #PakOccupiedKashmir &Chinese #Xinjiang. 2/n
largely covers so-called border between #PakOccupiedKashmir &Chinese #Xinjiang. 2/n
In the Chinese definition, the India-China border (their calculation of the length is obviously east of the Karakoram Pass but it has never been properly explained) is around 2000 km long. 3/n
The #IndiaChina LAC is neither mutually defined, delineated or demarcated. Each term has a different connotation. 4/n
Defined means point-to-point description on paper.Delineated means drawing line on maps, preferably large scale maps (see google.com/amp/s/www.gisl…)which allow for greater detail/avoid ambiguity in understanding the line. Demarcated is fixing physical markers of line on ground 5/n
Six #borderpasses - Shipki La (a point that was reopened for border trade between India and China in early ‘90s),Mana, Niti, Kungri Bingri, Darma & Lipu Lekh (point for border trade)in this area were mentioned in #1954Agreement on Trade between India and Tibet. (#Panchsheel) 8/n
East of Nepal,is #Sikkim sector.LAC corresponds to international border although there’ve been transgressions in N. Sikkim.NathuLa pass in this sector used for border trade. On Tibetan side pass leads toChumbiValley where India had Trade Agency at Yatung until 1961-2. 9/n
East of #Bhutan, LAC corresponds to McMahon Line (MML) which India regards as the border with #Tibet. China does not recognize MML but concedes that it corresponds to LAC between #IndiaChina except for some pockets of difference arising from the interpretation of the Line. 10/n
Modern cartography has enabled India to interpret MML as was intended when it was originally drawn, on the basis of the highest #Himalayan watershed.
In 1914 when the Line was drawn, it was done on a small scale map with much less granularity and detail. 11/n
In 1914 when the Line was drawn, it was done on a small scale map with much less granularity and detail. 11/n
The #Chinese have tended to use the ambiguity inherent in the small scale map of the MML of 1914 to push their transgressions into some points and locations that we regard as being south of the Line. 12/n
In 1976,in wake of #TulungLa
incident of Oct1975(where Assam Rifles personnel lost lives in Chinese ambush)Govt.of India set up China Study Group (CSG) of officials from MoD,MEA &MHA (including Army HQ) to set patrolling regime for our military, para-mil personnel along LAC 13/n
incident of Oct1975(where Assam Rifles personnel lost lives in Chinese ambush)Govt.of India set up China Study Group (CSG) of officials from MoD,MEA &MHA (including Army HQ) to set patrolling regime for our military, para-mil personnel along LAC 13/n
This regime was followed strictly and greatly contributed to LAC areas remaining quiet in years that followed until 1986 when the Chinese intrusion in #SumdorongChu valley of Arunachal Pradesh occurred. 14/n
This area identified by our border experts in ‘70s as area of difference of interpretation of LAC. We avoided going there until 1984-85 when our personnel began to visit in summer and to return before winter. In July 1986,when we returned we found Chinese encamped there.15/n
Standoff at Sumdorong continued for some years. #RajivGandhi1988Chinavisit contributed to easing of tensions. By 1992 both sides began discussion of measures to maintain peace and tranquility along LAC which culminated in #1993Agreement
and subsequent ones.16/n
and subsequent ones.16/n
The need to jointly clarify #LAC pending a border settlement has been broached by India from the late nineties. It is an eminently sensible approach but the Chinese have unfortunately dithered. Their positions have been rigid and inflexible. Thereby hangs a tale. 17/n
