India – China: Why have the clashes in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh become a regular event for 20 years?

For more than two decades, clashes between India and China have been frequent in the Yangtze region of the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh. A senior official told News18 that Friday’s skirmish was a strong attempt by China to take over the region under the circumstances. The official said China began efforts to gain control of the region in the late 1990s.

At least twice a year, clashes between the two countries are common in Tawang. However, in recent years, Chinese military incursions have been rampant. More than 200 Chinese troops attempted to cross the Line of Effective Control (LAC) into the Yangtze River. Also in October last year a large contingent of Chinese troops attempted to cross the LAC. This led to a major confrontation between the two countries and the Chinese military was blocked in the area.

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China ‘Xiaokang’ pattern at the border
Infrastructure in the region has also been expanded, including the construction of defense villages. Although these villages are currently uninhabited, Indian military officials have expressed concern that China could use them for military purposes.

The threat from China lies in the two strategic junctions of Tawang and Chumbi Valley. Tawang is located on the border of Nepal and Tibet and the Chumbi Valley is located at the crossroads of China and Bhutan. But in light of China’s political-military moves, India has expanded its military presence in both tripartites.

It is not only in the Yangtze region of the Tawang sector that Indian and Chinese troops are clashing. In 1986-87 there was a major confrontation with China in the Sumdorong Valley.

Meanwhile, both sides deployed more troops throughout sectors of Tawang, including Mago Chuna to the east. Officials who have served in the region told News18 that China saw India’s presence here as an intrusion and had repeatedly claimed the region over the past two decades.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh told Parliament on Tuesday that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army attempted to breach the Line of Effective Control in the Yangtze on Friday. The minister also said that many of these efforts have been made by China over the past two decades.

Summary: Why Tawang’s Yangtse faces two decades of face-to-face between India and China