LINES on a map separate not only the geographical and political jurisdiction of countries on either side, but are also symbols of their sovereignty. Unlike in the past, borders today are more precise and nations take them seriously. Well defined, mutually agreed borders are important for good relations among nations. They come into being as a result of agreement between the stakeholders by adjustment of rival claims, interests and ambitions at points where they adjoin. A simple understanding of it would have saved India all the humiliation that it had to suffer in 1962.
India’s borders, as bequeathed by the British either in the Northeast or in the west, were not scientifically marked. The McMahon Line in the Northeast resulting from the Simla Convention of 1914 was not recognised by China and was also not scientifically marked after surveys. The Western border between Ladakh and Aksai Chin was marked “undefined” in the Survey of India maps inherited in 1947. Even the first couple of reprints after Independence continued to show the boundary as undefined.
The British did not occupy the Tawang area, which the McMahon Line had put in India after signing the Simla Agreement and allowed it to remain under Tibetan occupation until India occupied it in April 1951 against Tibetan protests. India ignored the fact that not only the British, but India itself had conveyed to Tibet that the McMahon Line would be adjusted in its favour in the Tawang area. After India’s occupation, it was given the name North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), the present-day Arunachal Pradesh.
Denne historien er fra March 11, 2024-utgaven av Outlook.
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Denne historien er fra March 11, 2024-utgaven av Outlook.
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The 'Invisible' Dalits
The debate over sub-categorisation of castes is likely to shape the political discourse in the upcoming state elections
Caste Census: To Conquer Or Conserve?
The caste census is generating heated debate, but even its most ardent proponents are not able to articulate a plan about how to use the resulting data
THE FATEFUL COMEDY
Actor-director Rajat Kapoor talks about adapting Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov into a Hindi play
Mad Hatter
When a leader takes off his topi and holds it in his hands while appealing for votes, it signals something extraordinary
Circle Within Circles
The caste question in Muslims.
Backward March
The Maratha reservation question may continue to mire the next government in the state
The 69% Exception
Quota within quota: lessons to be learned from Tamil Nadu
United Indifference
The perils of tweaking tribal identities
Two Nations, Two Destinies
The widely differing balance of power between the military and civilian leadership in India and Pakistan has significantly impacted democracy in the two countries
Crème de la Crème
The mainstream society thinks reservations are against right to equality. It’s high time they are seen in the context of right to justice.