INDIA’S BORDERS: BETWEEN CLAIMS AND CONFRONTATIONS

Author: Taniya Yadav, The NorthCap University

India is the center of territorial claims and confrontations with its neighboring countries despite having such powerful allies India is surrounded by these controversial countries, claiming Indian lands as theirs. Even from a geopolitical view this isn’t some lines drawn on the map, ground reality is so much vast than these lines from claiming the lands from a country the people of those disputed lands face a constant identity crisis, economical declines, controversial life, land full of military base impacting their legal rights in various manners.

These disputes are built up on historical grievances, strategic political interests and national identities.

Over the years India has actively engaged in territorial disagreements with China, Pakistan and Nepal each carrying their own complexities and diplomatic challenges resulting in the disputes of Indo-China, Indo-Pak, and Indo-nepal border conflicts. The year 2024 came with new developments in these disputes: critical negotiations, excessive military engagements, and much more controversies that brought border issues into the global spotlight once again.

This paper analyzes India's current border situations and ongoing territorial disputes which came to surface in 2024 highlighting the diplomatic relations and border implications, strategic maneuvers and solutions for border stability and harmony within the disputed lands.

Historical disputes (India’s border)

India- China:

Emerged in the 20th century; British India and China had unresolved border separations. 1962 Sino-Indian War (China seized Aksai chin; still under control of China). Additional clashes emerged including 1967, 1975,and 2020 Galwan Valley. Diplomatic efforts are a continuous failure to provide a lasting peace.

India-Pakistan:

Starting from the partition of British India in 1947, India and Pakistan: Jammu and Kashmir still remained a territorial dispute within two countries leading to multiple wars in 1947-48, 1965 and 1999 (Kargil War). The Line Of Control(LoC) is still a highly militarized zone with frequent ceasefire violations. They continue to fuel tensions between the two- nuclear armed neighbours.

India-Nepal:

Although both countries share deep historical and cultural ties, the recent claim of Indian territories; Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura have made the countries relation tensed. Tracing back this dispute lead to 1815 Sugauli Treaty signed between British East India Company and Nepal. With some recent escalated steps taken by nepal further questioned the diplomatic relations between these two countries

Recent border dispute and territorial claims 2024

India-China: 2024 border patrol agreement and military disengagement:

October 2024 came up with an agreement which aimed to de-escalate tensions among the border centric cities (Himalayan border). This agreement was referred as ‘The 2024 india-china border patrol agreement’, focusing on restoring the patrolling rights in these areas i.e, “Depsang Plains” and “Demchok” located in the north eastern ladakh where the tension remained high since the ‘Galwan Valley clash’ (2020). This agreement was perceived as the significant step towards normalising the relations and being cautious about the deep rooted mistrust that continued to define the India-China relations lately.

December 2024, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had a meeting in Beijing to have a negotiation talk after 5 years.

(This meeting was seen as an effort to strengthen diplomatic ties and build upon the October agreement). Subsequently, both sides recognised that achieving long-term stability would require sustained efforts and confidence-building measures.

*China’s approval for $137 billion “Metok Dam” in Tibet raised numerous concerns in India as it’s going to impact the water security in downstream regions (Northeastern states) conflicts raised as the border strategic contest between the two Asian giants are raised continuously.

India-Pakistan: Ceasefire violations and Military tensions

During 2024 citizens of the disputed areas saw a continuous tension between India and Pakistan, especially along the LoC (line of control) located in Jammu and Kashmir. Multiple ceasefire violations leading to casualties on both sides (Both countries blaming each other for the escalated tensions) Diplomatic efforts to restore peace were hindered by allegations of cross border terrorism and security concerns.

Both India and Pakistan continue to accuse each other for the emergence of the ceasefire by not taking the credibility of their actions and supporting the militants activities. The exchange of accusations further impacted the peace efforts making it more complicated at each step, making it obvious that long term resolution would require new diplomatic negotiations and confidence building measures that support interest of both the countries.

India-Nepal: The Currency Note controversy

May 2024, Nepal initiated the India-Nepal: The Currency Note controversy

controversy by issuing a new 100 rupee currency note featuring a map which included the disputed territories i.e, “Lipulekh”. “Kalapani”, “Limpiyadhura” etc. (These areas are under Indian administrations but are claimed by Nepal leading to continuous tensions between both countries). This was seen as an active measure, while Nepal insisted that they were just proclaiming their territorial claims.

Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli highlighted his government’s commitment for resolving border disputes with India via diplomatic means. However, his December 2024 visit to China raised speculations about Nepal's allegiance with China (rumored); strengthening ties with Beijing through infrastructure and investment agreements under the “Belt and Road” project initiative.

Conclusion

2024 itself highlighted the fragile nature of its territorial relationships with neighbouring countries. While countless efforts were made to de-escalate tensions among the disputed areas of India-China, The underlying distrust persisted. Similarly, ongoing conflicts with Pakistan continued to fuel regional instability. On the other hand border disputes with Nepal took a new dimension with geopolitical realignments. This dispute had a need for sustained diplomatic engagement, conflict-resolution mechanism to achieve long-term peace.