May. 2 – Recently, a third round of talks at the Brigadier-level between the Indian Army and a Chinese battalion has failed, with the Chinese side objecting to “infrastructure developments on the Indian side.” During the meeting, China suggested that the two armies increase the distance between their temporary camps. India, however, insisted on China’s complete withdrawal of troops.
The situation is now in danger of developing from a localized incident to a full bloodied diplomatic crisis.
The incident, which started as a stand-off regarding the “Line of Actual Control” (the de facto border between India and China), began on April 15 when Chinese troops set up a post of around 50 troops approximately 19 kilometers into the Depsang Valley, Ladakh. India’s response was to set up its own post just 500 meters away a few days later.
The Indian military has provided India’s governmental cabinet with a number of options concerning the issue, including the ability to cut off supplies to the Chinese camp. However, with the third round of talks having failed, it is likely that the Indian army will now have to reposition its troops closer to the area. The base camp is strategically important as it overlooks the Karakoram Pass, a major artery between China’s Xinjiang province and Pakistan.
India’s Foreign Minister, Salman Khurshid, has tried to downplay the dispute.
“The important thing from both sides is that it is and must remain an isolated incident and should not spill over into the larger spectrum of our relationship with China,” he said.
Khurshid is still scheduled to visit Beijing on May 9 to meet with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang despite the dispute. Li is set to visit Delhi in return on May 20.
China’s activities in antagonizing its neighbors in the Southeast Asian region appear to be on the wane with China’s foreign minister prioritizing several ASEAN nations during his first foreign tour. This ongoing dispute with India, however, is fast becoming an issue which could damage bilateral relations between the countries, potentially leading to increased military build-up on both sides. Regardless, the two respective countries’ armies are still on schedule to hold joint military exercises this October in Chengdu.
UPDATE, May 3rd
China refuses to confirm Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid’s visit to Beijing, further suggesting that the border dispute is beginning to impact broader diplomatic relations between the two nations.
“Both sides are in close communication on the border question. We will release information about Indian foreign minister’s visit to China in due course,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.
