In recent news, two US senators have introduced a bipartisan resolution that reaffirms the McMahon Line as the international boundary between China and India in Arunachal Pradesh. This resolution reaffirms India’s position that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and serves as a response to China’s claim that it is part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

The McMahon Line: What Is It?

The McMahon Line is a de facto boundary between China and India in the Eastern Sector. Specifically, it represents the boundary between Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet, from Bhutan in the west to Myanmar in the east. The line was drawn during the Simla Convention of 1914, which was officially described as the Convention Between Great Britain, China, and Tibet. The treaty aimed to settle the question of Tibet’s sovereignty and avoid further territorial disputes in the region. The McMahon Line delimited the respective spheres of influence of Tibet and Northeast India and Northern Myanmar.

China’s Claims and the Simla Convention
  • China claims the state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR).
  • In April 1914, a draft convention was agreed upon by all three countries, but China immediately repudiated it.
  • The final convention was only signed by McMahon on behalf of the British government and Shatra on behalf of Lhasa, as China did not consent to the convention.
  • China argued that Tibet had no independent authority to enter into international agreements.
  • Prior to the signing of the convention, the border in this region was undefined.
  • The treaty divided the Buddhist region into “Outer Tibet” and “Inner Tibet”.
  • Outer Tibet would remain in the hands of the Tibetan Government at Lhasa under Chinese suzerainty, though China was not allowed to interfere in its affairs.
  • Inner Tibet would be under the direct jurisdiction of the newly formed Republic of China.
  • The convention also determined the border between China proper and Tibet as well as Tibet and British India.
The Significance of the McMahon Line
  • The 890-km border from the corner of Bhutan to the Isu Razi Pass on the Burma border was drawn along the crest of the Himalayas.
  • This followed the “highest watershed principle,” which drew the border along the highest ridge between two river plains.
  • Tawang, which would have been part of Tibet, was included in British India due to its proximity to the Assam Valley.
  • The McMahon Line has been a source of tension between China and India since 1914.
  • In the 1962 Sino-Indian War, China made deep inroads into Indian territory across the McMahon Line.
  • China retreated to pre-war positions after the unilateral ceasefire was announced.
  • The border dispute has continued, with occasional skirmishes between the two countries.
MCQs about The McMahon Line
  1. Which country disputes the border with India along the McMahon Line?
    A. China
    B. Pakistan
    C. Bhutan
    D. Nepal
    Correct Answer: A. China
    Explanation: China has historically disputed the boundary and claims the state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR).
  2. What is the highest ridge principle?
    A. The principle of drawing borders in mountainous regions along the highest ridge between two river plains
    B. The principle of drawing borders based on population density
    C. The principle of drawing borders based on historical claims
    D. The principle of drawing borders along the natural landmarks
    Correct Answer: A. The principle of drawing borders in mountainous regions along the highest ridge between two river plains
    Explanation: The McMahon Line, which marks the border between India and China, was drawn largely along the crest of the Himalayas, following the “highest watershed principle”.
  3. Which region was included in British India due to its proximity to the Assam Valley?
    A. Tawang
    B. Bhutan
    C. Arunachal Pradesh
    D. Tibet
    Correct Answer: A. Tawang
    Explanation: Tawang, which would have been a part of Tibet had the “highest ridge principle” been uniformly implemented, was included in British India due to its proximity to the Assam Valley.
  4. What happened to the border dispute between China and India after the 1962 Sino-Indian War?
    A. It continued with occasional skirmishes between the two countries
    B. It was resolved with a peaceful agreement
    C. India was able to maintain control over the disputed territory
    D. China was able to annex the disputed territory
    Correct Answer: A. It continued with occasional skirmishes between the two countries
    Explanation: The border dispute has continued, with occasional skirmishes between the two countries, after the 1962 Sino-Indian War.

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