The Himalayas: The Majestic Backdrop For Border Tensions Between China And India
Considered as one of the world's longest land borders between countries, the border between China and India stretches for more than 3,440km (2,100 miles) long.  And although, it consists of more than a single section, the main section, Line of Actual Control (LAC) lies in the Kashmir region which has been disputed by both parties for decades. Both have continually accused the other of overstepping the LAC and recently, tension rose last month, as India accused Chinese soldiers with armoured vehicles and heavy machinery advancing into the Ladakh region. This may be China's response to the extensive building of infrastructure of India on its border. Although both countries have not reportedly resorted to any firepower since the bloody battle of 1962, their tactics turned to an all-out media war, with rivalling propaganda fuelled by their own strategic goals.
As the conflict reignites, a standoff between troops deployed in the area became apparent in May. In fact, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon the nation's top military chiefs as well as their national security adviser, Ajit Doval for ‘bolstering India’s military preparedness to deal with external security challenges’. With which the Chinese foreign ministry contradicts this by saying, ‘At present, the situation along the border between China and India is generally stable and controllable’. Both state media highlights their country's capabilities to respond to any and all threats with the Chinese media outlets broadcasting footage of the People's Liberation Army manoeuvres in the region. Such approach was met by an aggressive tone of the Home Affairs Minister of India, Amit Shah, expressing, ‘any intrusion into the borders of India will be punished.’
Nevertheless, the long-running dispute may start to come to a resolution as the two countries met on Sunday, June 07, and have agreed to peacefully resolve the border conflict. Military leaders from both countries convened in a ‘cordial and positive atmosphere’ and subsequently stating that both countries agreed to ‘continue military and diplomatic engagements to ensure peace and tranquillity’ in the border. Whether this peace treaty will hold up in the long run, will be any one's guess.