ISLAMABAD: The prolonged standoff along the Line of Actual Control ineastern Ladakh has exposed significant challenges in India’s bordermanagement with China, culminating in disengagement agreements that criticsargue have cemented Chinese advances made since 2020. These pacts,including the latest in October 2024 for Depsang and Demchok, involvebuffer zones predominantly on territory previously patrolled by Indianforces, effectively limiting access while China consolidates its positions,Indian media has reported.
The 2020 incursions by the People’s Liberation Army caught Indianintelligence and military surveillance off guard, allowing thousands oftroops to advance undetected into disputed areas. This failure highlightedsystemic vulnerabilities in India’s external intelligence agency RAW andborder infrastructure, prompting massive troop deployments that strainedresources across the armed forces.
Critics point to early statements from the Indian government denying anyterritorial intrusion as providing China a diplomatic clean chit, reducingleverage for demanding full restoration of pre-2020 status. Such narrativescomplicated subsequent negotiations, leading to partial disengagements thatcreated no-patrol buffer zones, often at the expense of Indian patrollingrights.
Despite India’s push for self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat, economicties with China remain robust, with the bilateral trade deficit widening toa record $99.2 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Imports surged inelectronics and machinery, underscoring persistent dependence even asborder tensions persisted.
The necessity to mirror Chinese deployments in the Himalayas has divertedsubstantial resources towards the army, constraining investments in theIndian Navy. Analysts note this shift hampers India’s ability to counterChinese influence in the Indo-Pacific, where maritime capabilities arecrucial for broader strategic deterrence.
The standoff has also signalled to neighbouring countries like Nepal,Bhutan, and the Maldives that India’s role as regional security providermay be waning. China’s expanding Belt and Road initiatives in these nationsexploit perceived Indian vulnerabilities, enhancing Beijing’s footprint inSouth Asia’s geopolitical landscape.
While the 2024 disengagement in remaining friction points like Depsang andDemchok marked progress towards de-escalation, questions linger overpatrolling restorations and buffer zone permanency. Herders in Ladakhreport lost grazing lands due to restricted access, illustrating the humancost of these geopolitical manoeuvres.
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Ongoing dialogues between corps commanders aim to address de-escalation,but experts caution that without full status quo ante restoration, theagreements risk institutionalising a new frontier favourable to China. Thisdynamic continues to shape India’s defence posture and regional alliances.
The evolving situation underscores the need for balanced militarymodernisation and diplomatic assertiveness to reclaim strategic initiativealong the contested border.
Source:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-china-disengagement-ladakh-demchok-despang-october-30-2024/article68813469.ece
Tags: India, China, Ladakh, Line of Actual Control, Depsang, Demchok,Buffer Zones
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