Q.18. Despite a cordial Mamallpuram Summit between Prime Minister Modi and the Chinese President, the dispute on line of actual control has deepened after a gap of several years. What do you think, are the reasons behind it?

The deepening of the dispute on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China, despite the cordial Mamallpuram Summit, can be attributed to several factors:

• Ill-defined Border: The LAC is not clearly demarcated, leading to differing perceptions and claims by both countries. The natural shifts in terrain due to rivers, lakes, and snowcaps further complicate the border situation.

• Infrastructure Development: Both nations are competing to build infrastructure along the border for strategic and logistical reasons. India’s construction of a new road to a high-altitude air base is seen as one of the triggers for the recent clashes.

• Strategic Rivalry: The broader strategic rivalry between the two countries, including competition for regional influence in Asia, adds to the tension along the border.

• Nationalism and Domestic Politics: Rising nationalism and the domestic political narrative in both countries can exacerbate border tensions, as leaders may feel pressured to take a firm stand.

• Military Stand-offs: Despite talks, military stand-offs continue, with occasional clashes leading to injuries and fatalities, which in turn fuel further disputes.

These factors contribute to the complexity of the situation and highlight the challenges in resolving the long-standing border dispute between India and China.