In recent years, the international community has been committed to dealing with two regional wars, the conflict in Ukraine and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. India, however, has chosen to intervene in the border dispute at this time. According to the Observer, India's Supreme Court ruled on December 11 that the so-called "Ladakh** Territory" established by India** in 2019 was legal and valid. Chinese spokesperson Mao Ning said that this is only a unilateral action by India, and the Chinese side has never admitted that the ruling cannot change the objective fact that the western section of the China-India border is China. The ruling concerns the disputed "Ladakh region" on the Sino-Indian border, between Aksai Chin and Jammu in Indian-administered Kashmir, which has long been Chinese territory. However, India has tried to bring it into India's territory through a unilateral ruling. The strategic location of this region is very crucial, it is located "overhead" of India, and it is also very close to the capital of India, New Delhi, which has a direct impact on China's Xinjiang and ** region. China firmly opposes India's move and will take further action to respond to it.
India has been making small moves on the border issue. At present, China and India have three disputed territories in the border areas between the two countries. The first is the southern Tibetan region in the eastern sector, which covers an area of more than 90,000 square kilometers and is mostly under the de facto control of India. This is followed by the disputed area in the middle sector, which covers about 2,000 square kilometers and is currently under the de facto control of India. Finally, in the western sector, the Aksai Chin region, about 30,000 square kilometers, is currently under de facto Chinese control. The "Ladakh region" ruled by the Supreme Court of India is located in the western part of the Sino-Indian border dispute and belongs to Chinese territory. However, India has tried to claim it for itself through a unilateral ruling. This move has aroused strong opposition from the Chinese side.
There are two possible considerations for India's "attack" on the border issue at this time. First, the United States is being held back by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and can no longer meddle in other globally controversial issues. India has always been regarded by the United States as a "reliable partner in the Asia-Pacific," so it believes that there is less pressure to compete for interests at this time. Second, China is constrained by the Taiwan and South China Sea issues, and has unstable relations with the United States. India believes that the United States will support itself even if it makes moves on the border. However, China will resolutely not accept foreign interference in the Sino-Indian border issue. China believes that the Sino-Indian border issue is a matter between the two countries and is reluctant to allow outside forces to interfere.
Since the outbreak of clashes on the border with China in June 2020, the two sides have held 20 rounds of commander-level talks, which have reduced tensions and achieved military disengagement at key standoff points. However, in addition to this, the parties have not achieved substantial results in resolving the border issue between the two countries. At the end of the 20th round of commander-level talks, the two sides reached a consensus, including maintaining communication through diplomatic and military channels, and hoping to resolve the remaining border issues as soon as possible, as well as jointly maintain stability on the border during this period. However, such a consensus did not solve the real problem, so the situation on the border remained unstable. Both sides still face challenges in finding a solution.
In the face of India's unilateral move to establish the so-called "Ladakh ** Territory", a spokesman for China made it clear that China will not recognize it. Despite the strong Chinese expression, it remains unclear whether India will take further action. As observers, we'll see.
India's Supreme Court's ruling affirming the legality and validity of the "Ladakh** Territory" established by India in 2019 has aroused strong dissatisfaction from the Chinese side. India's small moves on the border issue and its importance to the disputed areas of the Sino-Indian border have made China more wary of India's moves. Although the two sides have held 20 rounds of military commander-level talks, no substantive solution has been found to the border issue. China resolutely does not accept interference by foreign forces in the China-India border issue, and has said it will take further action in response. We need to keep an eye on the further development of this controversy.