The Line of Actual Control (LAC) separates Chinese-controlled territory from Indian-controlled territory and is generally divided into three sectors: Eastern, Middle, and Western. The Eastern sector spans the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, the Middle sector spans the states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, and the Western sector spans the Union Territory of Ladakh. Historically, the two countries have differed in their opinions regarding the length of the LAC. As a result, there are disputes in all three sectors.
For over a decade now, China has been following a 'Salami Slicing' tactic, "faits accomplis and international expansion in the shadow of major war," to press its claim at the LAC. The consistent goal of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is to move forward in unexpected new areas along the India-China border and then inch backwards to reach somewhere halfway after prolonged negotiations while retaining some of the grabbed portions for themselves. The 2013 Depsang standoff demonstrated Chinese salami-slicing tactics when the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China made an incursion in the Depsang Bulge area, 30 km south of Daulat Beg Oldi near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the disputed Aksai Chin region.
The unwavering stand of India during the Doklam standoff, the push back during Galwan and subsequent deployment of troops has demonstreated that India will fight back. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India has responded to China on all forums as per the needs.
The Indian prime minister reminded the neighbour about the ancient Indian belief in the concept of "universal brotherhood" but affirmed India's "commitment and might when it comes to safeguarding her sovereignty and territorial integrity." China had sought to delink the standoff from bilateral ties, saying the border situation was "stable". India's stand on the matter was unchanged: relations cannot be normal unless the border row is resolved.
What followed was a concerted effort to use India's economic, diplomatic, and military power to push China to return to the status quo through a "strategy of hurt." This strategy communicated a simple message to Beijing: China should remove its soldiers, or India would inflict economic, diplomatic, and military costs.
PM Narendra Modi's first action was to put economic sanctions on Chinese firms operating in the country. As the border crisis escalated, India banned several Chinese apps, including PUBG and TikTok and disallowed Chinese state-owned companies from investing in infrastructure projects in India. The threat of economic decoupling followed, including a ban on Huawei from India's 5G infrastructure.
Militarily, India built up a preponderance of forces and materials to deter Chinese activities. India upgraded military-related infrastructure along with the border areas, moved missiles and aircraft to the border, and positioned more troops. In 2021, the Modi government deployed an additional 50,000 soldiers to patrol the LAC. The effort marked the biggest mobilization of the Indian Armed Forces. The army positioned almost three divisions in eastern Ladakh, including an armoured one. India deployed the game-changer S-400 air defence system along the LAC to ensure that PLA respects and adheres to the Boundary Settlement negotiations. The air force also shifted its foremost assets to the region, including MiG-29s, Sukhoi-30s, and Mirage 2000s. The navy's P-8I Poseidon aircraft also conducted reconnaissance and surveillance missions over the high Himalayas.
The unprecedented deployment of troops, backed by their own dedicated artillery and air support by the Modi government, ultimately led Beijing to agree to a reinstatement of the status quo. Meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg in August 2023, Modi and Xi agreed to intensify efforts for "expeditious disengagement and de-escalation" of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh.
Under Narendra Modi's leadership, India is giving a massive border infrastructure push. The Modi government has built a massive infrastructure, the showpiece of which is the recently inaugurated Sela Tunnel in Arunchal Pradesh by PM Narendra Modi. The Sela Pass is the primary link between the Tawang district and the rest of Arunachal Pradesh, enhancing the Indian Army's strategic and operational capabilities. This tunnel provides "all-weather" connectivity to Tawang, a region's remote and strategically significant district in the eastern sector of the LAC.
Before 2014, the military infrastructure at the LAC favoured China. The previous Congress governments used to say that there was a security concern about carrying out infrastructure development near the LAC. The UPA-era Defence Minister A.K. Anthony admitted in the parliament that "compared to India, in the area of building infrastructure, China is much advanced. Their [China] infrastructure development [at LAC] is superior to India" The defence minister also stated that the 'mistake' not to develop border areas is a 'legacy,' carried from older days. The previous governments were wary of strengthening road connectivity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) for fear of Chinese aggression, as these governments' fallacy was a belief that "the best defence is not to develop the border."
However, in a turnaround from the decades-old policy of the policy, there has been a complete change under the Modi government. The government has focused on speeding road and air connectivity projects and building adequate infrastructure at the LAC. India has now started playing the Chinese Checkers and has challenged the hegemony of China that was wielded in the Himalayan peaks and troughs.
