Decoding the Eastern Sector: India, China, and the McMahon Line
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the India-China boundary dispute, focusing specifically on the dynamic Eastern Sector (Arunachal Pradesh). It traces the historical and legal origins of the conflict, from the 1914 Simla Convention and the establishment of the McMahon Line to the complex diplomatic negotiations of the post-independence era. The study argues that China’s maximalist claims in the East are less about genuine historical sovereignty and more about strategic leverage—aimed primarily at compelling India to recognize the status quo in Aksai Chin.
The ideational dimension of India’s China challenge
While there is good news from the LAC, the China challenge to India is a long-term one that has both material and intellectual/ideational elements.