India and China signed an agreement in 1993 to maintain peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which is the de facto border between the two countries. However, recent tensions at the border have resulted in the need for a renewed focus on the agreement.
The agreement, which was signed by both countries` foreign ministers, established that neither side would use force or threaten to use force against the other in the border areas. It also established that both sides should exercise maximum restraint in the use of military forces in the border areas.
Additionally, the agreement established that both sides would notify each other of military exercises or movements along the border and would hold regular meetings to resolve disputes.
However, recent conflicts between India and China at the border have called into question the effectiveness of the 1993 agreement. In 2020, a deadly clash occurred in the Galwan Valley, resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers.
The renewed tensions have highlighted the need for both countries to revisit and update the 1993 agreement to ensure it is still relevant and effective in maintaining peace along the border. Both countries have engaged in talks to resolve the current conflict and have also expressed a desire to work towards a new agreement.
For UPSC aspirants, understanding the details and implications of the India-China border agreement is crucial in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the international relations and security issues facing India. It is important for aspirants to stay up to date on any developments in the talks between India and China and to continue to examine the complexities of the border conflict.