Indian authorities reportedly briefly detained a group of 200 Chinese soldiers last week after they attempted to enter Arunachal Pradesh from Tibet to destroy unoccupied bunkers, stirring up a fresh conflict between the two countries.
According to an exclusive report by News18, the incident occurred close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the border pass of Bum La and Yangtse. The report stated that the Chinese soldiers’ transgression was “strongly contested” by the Indian side. While there has been no official statement by the Indian Army, the article cited defence and security sources saying that no damage was caused to Indian defence resources. A government source told the news outlet that the issue was resolved after the two sides held discussions at a local military commanders’ level.
Tawang has historically been a point of contention between India and China. Following the 1962 war, China took over the region, claiming it to be a part of larger Tibet and referring to Arunachal Pradesh southern Tibet. The region is critical as it provides access to the Brahmaputra plains and gives the shortest route to Tezpur in Assam. According to a senior defence source, the lines of communication in Tawang also stretch to the Silguri corridor, another indication of its strategic significance.
Moreover, this is not the first time the Chinese side has crossed into Indian territory and ignited a military tiff between the two sides. A similar incident occurred in 2016 when over 200 Chinese soldiers entered Indian territory near the LAC at Yangtse. Likewise, in 2011, Chinese troops damaged a 250-metre-long wall on the Indian side of the LAC, resulting in India lodging a formal protest with China. Furthermore, last month, Chinese troops patrolled the Barahoti region near the LAC for a few hours.
Given these incidents, India and China have been engaged in several political and military-level talks to end the ongoing unrest along the LAC. Next week, the two sides will convene for the 13th round of Corps Commander-level discussions in eastern Ladakh.
Although there has been some disengagement in the Pangong Tso region due to military and diplomatic talks, both sides have not de-escalated and continue to retain and deploy troops as a sign of military strength. Latest reports suggest that the Chinese side is attempting to expand its military presence to the eastern and central sectors. India has also redirected its troops from the Pakistan border to the LAC. As both sides continue to deploy troops and participate in military manoeuvres in the region, the success of military and diplomatic talks seems unlikely in the near future.