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Line of Actual Control, Length, India-China Border Dispute

PWOnlyIAS November 13, 2024 01:12 1546 0

The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the demarcation line between India and China, divided into three sectors. The Line of Actual Control stretches approximately 3,488 kilometers.

Line of Actual Control, Length, India-China Border Dispute

The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the de facto boundary between India and China, marking the line of control in areas where the two countries have territorial disputes. It is not an officially recognized international boundary, but rather a military control line that separates areas controlled by India from those controlled by China. 

With periodic clashes and an unsettled boundary agreement, the LAC has become central to India-China relations and is a significant topic for UPSC exams. Keep reading to learn about the Line of Actual Control, its length, and the disputes surrounding it.

What is the Line of Actual Control?

The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the unofficial boundary that separates Indian-administered areas from Chinese-controlled areas. Although it is not an officially agreed-upon border, the LAC serves as a de facto dividing line to help prevent conflict. However, its lack of clear demarcation has led to frequent tensions between the two countries.

Since the LAC is not legally defined, India and China often have different interpretations of its exact alignment. India considers the LAC to be approximately 3,488 kilometers long, while China claims it to be only around 2,000 kilometers. The LAC spans three sectors: the western sector, the middle sector, and the eastern sector.

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History of Line of Actual Control

British India and China had overlapping territorial claims in the regions that now constitute the border areas of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. After India gained independence in 1947, tensions between India and China regarding the border quickly emerged.

  • India inherited the British India boundaries, including the McMahon Line in the eastern sector.
  • China, which had fully asserted control over Tibet by the early 1950s, claimed much of the territory in Arunachal Pradesh and part of Ladakh.
  • The most significant event in the history of the LAC was the 1962 India-China war, which dramatically reshaped the border situation.

After the war, both India and China agreed to maintain the status quo along the border, and LAC came to be understood as the line that both countries effectively controlled at the time, though its exact alignment was undefined.

Line of Actual Control

Indo-China Border Length

The India-China border is approximately 3,488 kilometers long, divided into three major sectors:

  1. Western Sector: This is the most disputed part of the border, covering the Union Territory of Ladakh part of which is under China’s control.
  2. Middle Sector: Covering parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, this sector is relatively calm, with fewer conflicts and disputes.
  3. Eastern Sector: Extending through Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, this sector is also contentious. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of “South Tibet”.

The state-wise length of the Indo-China border is as follows:

State Total Length (km)
1. Jammu & Kashmir 1,597
2. Himachal Pradesh 200
3. Uttarakhand 345
4. Sikkim 220
5. Arunachal Pradesh 1,126
Total 3,488

India-China Border Disputes

The India-China border dispute across LAC remained a point of tension which have affected the Indo-China relationship over the years. These disputes include:

  • Aksai Chin Dispute: Located in the western sector, Aksai Chin is claimed by China as part of its Xinjiang province. China built a road through Aksai Chin in the 1950s, which raised concerns in India.
  • McMahon Line: This line, which marks the eastern boundary of Arunachal Pradesh, was drawn in 1914 during British rule. India regards it as the official border, but China disputes its validity, claiming Arunachal Pradesh as part of Tibet.
  • Recent Tensions: Areas like Doklam, Galwan Valley, and Pangong Lake have seen heightened military activity from both sides in recent years, with stand-offs adding to the ongoing tension along the LAC.

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Efforts to Maintain Peace At LAC

To resolve these disputes, India and China have engaged in multiple rounds of talks, including border negotiations and confidence-building measures including:

  • 1993 Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility along the LAC: This agreement laid down clear guidelines for avoiding military conflict and ensuring stability along the Line of Actual Control. 
  • 2005 Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question: Both countries agreed on a framework that outlined broad principles for resolving the border dispute. The agreement focused on mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity, peaceful resolution of differences, and a step-by-step approach to resolving the boundary issue.
  • Other Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs): Over the years, several confidence-building measures, including the military hotlines, creating buffer zones, disengagement in contested areas, and protocols to manage troop movements along the border have been taken.

Difference Between Line of Actual Control and Mcmahon Line

Though the terms are often confused the Line of Actual Control is different from the McMahon Line:

  • Line of Actual Control (LAC): India and China both use Line of Actual Control as a de facto boundary, but interpretations differ. It was developed after the 1962 India-China War and represents the territorial control of both countries along the border, including the Western sector (Ladakh) and the Eastern sector (Arunachal Pradesh).
  • McMahon Line: The McMahon Line is a boundary drawn in 1914 during the Simla Convention between British India and Tibet, marking the border between India and Tibet (now part of China), specifically in Arunachal Pradesh. India considers it the official boundary, but China disputes it, claiming Arunachal Pradesh as part of Tibet.

LAC vs LoC

The Line of Actual Control and the Line of Control (LoC) are two significant border demarcations. While LAC separated India from China, LoC emerged from the 1948 ceasefire line with Pakistan.

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LAC vs LoC
Aspect Line of Actual Control (LAC) Line of Control (LoC)
Countries Involved India and China India and Pakistan
Historical Context Emerged after the 1962 India-China war but with no final settlement. Emerged after the 1947-48 Kashmir conflict and was formalized in the 1972
Legal Recognition Not legally recognized; based on mutual understanding, no formal agreement. Legally recognized; established by the 1972 Shimla Agreement and the 1948 UN ceasefire line.
Geographical Location Spans through Eastern, middle, and Western sectors Divides Jammu and Kashmir into Indian- and Pakistan-administered areas
Conflict History Frequent stand-offs, no mutual agreement Heavily militarized with frequent conflicts and skirmishes

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Line of Actual Control FAQs

The Line of Actual Control is the informal boundary that separates Indian-administered and Chinese-controlled areas.

The LAC is disputed because India and China interpret its path differently, leading to overlapping territorial claims and periodic stand-offs.

The length of the line of actual control is approximately 3,488 kilometers, though the exact figure varies due to differing interpretations.

The LAC is the current, disputed boundary, while the McMahon Line was drawn in 1914 as an official boundary between British India and Tibet in the eastern sector.

The LAC is a disputed boundary between India and China, while the LoC is a recognized line between India and Pakistan, established after the Simla Agreement in 1972.
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