India - China: Relations And Developments

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<b>China defines its borders </b>– <i>Lesson for India?</i> <!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->What does the article imply for India’s border discussions with China? If a multi-faceted approach, as reflected in the article,is adopted by the Chinese during the border talks, India can expect a prolonged course of negotiations with no immediate concrete result. Secondly, the apparent over-emphasis given in the write-up on the ‘historic continuity’ of the contemporary China borders, indicates the possibilities of the Chinese side continuing to quote from history while presenting their claims. Thirdly, if a piece of disputed territory is important for it in strategic and military sense, the PRC’s position on such area could be uncompromising during  talks. Specifically on disputed territories in Eastern Sector including Tawang, the Chinese may apply the  ‘historic’ approach in open, with ‘strategic interest’ in the back of their minds. The article, in essence, reflects the traditional Chinese position of always being territorially ambitious. As such, Premier Wen’s new “accommodation of reality” approach needs to be studied carefully by India for its practical implications.     <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->