A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) has recently called for a change in how India refers to its border with Tibet, urging that it no longer be called the India-China boundary. This statement has brought the focus back on the historical and political dimensions of the India-China relationship, particularly concerning Tibet's status.
The MP's statement isn't an isolated event. In July 2024, another BJP MP from Sikkim, Dorjee Tshering Lepcha, raised a similar point in Parliament, advocating for the official use of "Tibet Border" instead of "China border". Lepcha argued that the 1,400-kilometer stretch from Leh-Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim primarily borders Tibet, not China. He urged the central government to issue a directive to its agencies, including the Indian Army and the Border Roads Organization (BRO), to recognize this distinction. According to Lepcha, recognizing the border as the "Tibet Border" aligns with historical facts and helps to diminish China's influence. He also pointed out the disparity in development along the border regions, with China having built villages and infrastructure on its side in Tibet, while the Indian side largely consists of reserved forests and wildlife sanctuaries with restricted access.
These calls resonate with earlier statements made by the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, who also asserted that India shares a border with Tibet, not China. Such assertions highlight a growing sentiment among some Indian politicians that challenges the conventional understanding of the border and implicitly questions China's sovereignty over Tibet.
Historically, the situation is complex. In 1947, when India gained independence, its border was with Tibet. However, after China annexed Tibet in 1951, this changed, leading to intense debates within the Indian Parliament. In 1954, India and China signed the Sino-Indian Act, also known as the Panchsheel Agreement, which outlined the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. These principles aimed to establish mutual respect, non-interference, non-aggression, equality, and mutual benefit between the two nations. However, some argue that China has since betrayed the spirit of this agreement.
The current border dispute remains a sensitive issue. The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is a term first used by Zhou Enlai in 1959. Due to its militarized attitude, the India-China border has not been clearly delineated or demarcated over the past 70 years.
These calls to redefine the border come amidst ongoing tensions and border disputes between India and China. In light of these complexities, the renewed calls from Indian politicians to recognize the "Tibet Border" reflect a hardening stance towards China and a greater willingness to challenge its claims over Tibet. They also highlight the enduring significance of Tibet as a geopolitical buffer and a point of contention in the India-China relationship.
