Four Ways to Resolve India-China Border Disputes

War and Peace - The Asian Version

The recent clashes between Indian and Chinese troops at Tawang exposes the almost intractable nature of the border conflict between the two countries. Nationalism and emotions are once again at fever pitch, fueled by the mainstream media and “patriots” on social media. However, border disputes are not new - they are as old as civilization. So, combining the wisdom from the past and using some creative imagination, here are four ways that India and China can resolve their border dispute.

War!

War has been the traditional norm for disputes — like the Hundred Years War between the French and the British. Thus, India and China can also enter a brutal war and fight it out. The US will gladly supply all the latest weapons to India, just like as it’s happening in Ukraine. An excellent way to test all the leading-edge American hi-tech artillery, drones and missiles. Hopefully, it won’t escalate to a nuclear war or the bombing of key cities like Delhi and Beijing. Theoretically, it’s possible that one country can decisively win, force the other country into a treaty, and take over the lands in dispute.

Then, trade relations sputter and die, after which India suffers a lot more than China, and the rise of Asia comes to a screeching halt. That’s Option #1.

Compromise

This will be a bitter solution for nationalists and hawks on both sides. The US will not like it either, since it demolishes the divide-and-rule playbook to keep Asia and China down. In this scenario, China and India decide to split the lands somehow.

For example, it could be that each takes half of all lands in dispute. Or, it could be differing pieces of land, based on each side’s strategic interests.

Whatever the scheme, it should be a final agreement that leads to enduring peace.

Neutral/Buffer Zone

In this option, both parties decide that the lands in dispute will become a buffer/neutral zone where nobody enters or stays. Lands free of humans and military. With fences and surveillance cameras, both sides can be assured that they are not going to come in contact with one another in these areas. Again, keyboard warriors and war hawks will be disappointed, but life goes on for the rest of the people.

Joint Ownership

This is a radical concept, but why not? India and China can jointly own and develop the lands in dispute. And share the revenues from natural resources and tourism. How about being a testimony to the 5000 years of shared civilizations’ wisdom and make people of both countries proud? Perhaps even win the Nobel prize for peace!

Conclusion

The next decade is pivotal for everyone. China will very likely become the #1 economy; the US must adjust to the multipolar world; India must grow fast and pave the road to escape the middle income trap; and Asia must prepare to play a major role in world affairs.

India and China have myriad of opportunities to cooperate and find mutually beneficial solutions. That’s another blog post.

We need new paradigms for old solutions. Killing each other for artificial lines drawn on earth is tiresome. Let’s rethink geopolitics and find new ways to cooperate and thrive.

— S.L. Kanthan