Even though the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) under Commander-in-Chief Xi Jinping really wants to expand the territorial map based on Eco-friendly Line based on a 1959 map circulated by Pm Chou En-Lai under leader Mao Zedong, china position on resolving the border problem with India has altered within the decades according to ease of the ruler of Beijing.
After Mao Zedong altered the details on ground because they build the Lhasa-Kashgar highway (number 219) through Aksai Face in 1956, Pm Chou En-Lai in 1960 offered his Indian counterpart Jawaharlal Nehru to solve the border on “as it’s where it’s principle.” This resulted in China was recognizing Indian sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh or North-East Frontier Agency because it was known then, while India would recognise Beijing’s claim that they can Aksai Face south of Haji Langar pass. It was never recognized by India and it was probably the most important reasons for china aggression in 1962. Today, China is within adverse possession in excess of 38,180 sq km of Indian land including 5180 sq km of Shaksgam valley gifted by Pakistan in 1963.
On Feb 14, 1979, then Vice Premier and then vital leader Deng Xiaoping met Foreign Minister (later Pm) Atal Behari Vajpayee and offered a bundle deal for resolve the boundary issue. Deng stated that Chinese were prepared to make concessions around the eastern sector to India, while New Delhi should make similar concessions within the western sector. As the concessions weren’t specified, Deng stated the resolution from the border might be shelved to another generation as lengthy as each side conserve a stable situation around the border. Deng reiterated this proposal in 1985 also.
China position again required a radical turn following the 1986 Somdorong Chu incident in north Arunachal Pradesh. Later, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Shuqing told his Indian counterpart Secretary (East) A P Venkateswaran in New Delhi that China was searching for concessions both on western and eastern sectors to be able to solve the boundary issue. Deng was the best choice of China and Chairman from the all effective Central Military Commission.
Since that time an array of contracts and protocols happen to be signed to keep peace and tranquility around the 3488 km Type of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Following the Special Representative dialogue was setup between China and india to solve the boundary issue in 2005, 22 conferences occured between India’s National Security Consultant and Chinese Condition Councillor however the boundary issue has hardly moved towards resolution. China still known as Arunachal Pradesh South Tibet and India boundary in Ladakh claims all Aksai Face.
While there’s hope the present stand-off between PLA and Indian Army may lead to a minimum of exchanging of maps in western sector to ensure that both sides knows the other’s positions and claims, china belligerence and deliberate provocation from Depsang to Pangong Tso this season doesn’t augur well for peace.