India-China Border Equilibrium Faces Tests Beyond Current Détente

India and China disagree about where their border should be.

They have negotiated for more than 45 years but have not reached a final agreement.

Both countries appear to understand that they cannot easily gain everything they want.

Fighting would be very difficult because the border is mountainous and heavily defended.

This has created a temporary balance in which neither side can improve its position easily.

A recent eight-point statement encourages the countries to make progress in smaller sections of the border.

However, any partial agreement would still need to fit into a final settlement covering the entire border.

Tensions could rise when the next Dalai Lama is chosen or if China becomes directly involved in a future India-Pakistan conflict.

The article argues that India should use the current period of calmer relations to prepare for these risks.