Question

What are the main reasons behind the tension in India-China relations?

Hint:

For questions on India-China relations, the border dispute is the central issue. It's the historical root of mistrust that fuels all other areas of competition and conflict between the two nations.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
India-China relations are complex and characterized by a mix of cooperation and conflict. The tension between the two Asian giants stems from a combination of historical disputes, strategic competition, and unresolved issues.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The main reasons behind the tension are:
1. The Unresolved Border Dispute:
- This is the most significant and persistent source of tension. The two countries share a long, disputed border, and their claims overlap in two major areas: Aksai Chin in the west (controlled by China but claimed by India) and Arunachal Pradesh in the east (controlled by India but claimed by China).
- This dispute led to a war in 1962 and continues to cause frequent military stand-offs and clashes, such as the Doklam standoff in 2017 and the fatal Galwan Valley clash in 2020.
2. Strategic Competition in the Region:
- As rising powers, both India and China compete for influence in Asia. India is wary of China's growing presence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean, which it considers its traditional sphere of influence.
- China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, is seen by India as a violation of its sovereignty and a form of strategic encirclement.
3. The Tibet Issue:
- India's decision to grant asylum to the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, in 1959 after he fled a Chinese crackdown in Tibet has been a long-standing irritant for China. China views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and is sensitive to any official Indian engagement with him or the Tibetan government-in-exile based in India.
4. China's Relationship with Pakistan:
- China's "all-weather" strategic partnership with Pakistan is a major concern for India. China provides Pakistan with extensive military, economic, and diplomatic support, which India perceives as being aimed at containing its rise.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The main reasons for tension in India-China relations are the unresolved border dispute, growing strategic competition for regional influence, the contentious Tibet issue, and China's strong strategic alliance with Pakistan.