Context
China’s new land border law strengthens land border protection, and also firming up the military-civilian role in defending the country’s borders.
The law has serious implications on its neighbors especially Nepal and Bhutan. This brief attempts to analyze implication of China’s law on the two Himalayan countries.
Background
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On the surface, the law appears to safeguard and secure Chinese territories. But it becomes more avaricious when intertwined with the Chinese strategy of salami-slicing and settling its civilian population in the neighbours’ territories.
India’s view on the law India has described China’s “unilateral” enactment of a land boundary legislation as a matter of “concern” and hoped that Beijing would not undertake any action at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) under the “pretext of this law”. India-China border dispute The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) of which 1,126 km is located in Arunachal Pradesh. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, which India has firmly rejected. The India-China border is divided into three sectors
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Analysis
Unsettled borders of Nepal and incursions by China
Prevalent challenges for Nepal
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How Chinese border law is a threat to Nepal?
Bhutan and its border issues with China
Region |
Contested areas/territories |
Significance |
Northern Bhutan |
Beyul Menchuma Valley |
Cultural and identity significance for Bhutan |
Western Bhutan |
Doklam Dramana and Shakhatoe Yak Chu and Charithang Chu valleys Sinchulungpa and the Langmarpo valley |
Closer to India’s strategic Siliguri Corridor/ “chicken’s neck” |
Eastern Bhutan |
Sakteng |
The region has no borders with China and the dispute was raised only in 2020; closer to Tawang, India |
Challenges persistent in Bhutan Severe infrastructure and material limitations to confront the Chinese intrusions, villages and settlements. Socio-economic problems |
Impact of China’s new law
Conclusion
The Chinese land borders law has unravelled a new set of challenges for the Himalayan countries of Nepal and Bhutan. Located between India and China and compelled by their unique balance policies, these small states are vulnerable to China’s salami-slicing tactics and incursions.
Furthermore, both the countries are likely struggle to deter additional Chinese settlements and villages and their increasing connectivity and militarization, given their weak material capabilities and strategic infrastructure.
Verifying, please be patient.