The scuffle between India and China along their disputed Himalayan border highlights a deep source of friction that threatens international stability. A more serious escalation would also harm both nations’ economies, as trade between the world’s second and third-largest economies is vital. The root cause of the tension is an ill-defined 3,440km (2,100-mile) border, with rivers, lakes and snowcaps shifting the line at many points. The line is further complicated by historical treaties that contain vague language and have been interpreted differently by each country.
The clashes over a mountain range near Tawang in the eastern sector of the Line of Actual Control (LOC) are just the latest in a series of incidents that have raised alarms. During a visit to India this week, US Defense Secretary James Mattis and Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman spoke of the need for more de-escalation but stressed the importance of maintaining high levels of military-to-military engagement.
While a major armed conflict is unlikely, the skirmishes highlight how easily regional tension can spiral into an international crisis. As a result, it is critical to understand the dynamics of the situation.
For example, in March 1969 Mao engineered a series of dangerous and escalating border fights with the Soviet Union in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang. He wanted to bolster his political standing among the world’s communist movement, and he also hoped that the fighting with the Soviets would help China build a more robust military, which was necessary for his strategic vision of a protracted people’s war against the West.