'Concern to us, could unilaterally alter situation in the India-China border areas': India on China’s Land Boundary Law

New Delhi, Oct 27: After China passed a new land law for the “protection and exploitation of the country’s land border areas”, the Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday said that border law is a concern to India and it could unilaterally alter the situation in the India-China border areas.

 

This came after on October 23, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s ceremonial but top legislative body, passed a new land law for the “protection and exploitation of the country’s land border areas” which will come into effect from January 1. According to the experts, China is sending a clear message by bringing in the new law amid the India-China border standoff. This law could make it more difficult for India to have talks with China about the disengagement from the friction points.

 

India responding to this, said, "We have noted that China has passed a new "Land Boundary Law” on 23 October 2021. The law states among other things that China abides by treaties concluded with or jointly acceded to by foreign countries on land boundary affairs. It also has provisions to carry out reorganisation of districts in the border areas."

 

 

The MEA specifically said that India and China have still not resolved the boundary question. It stated, "Both sides have agreed to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution to the Boundary Question through consultations on an equal footing. We have also concluded several bilateral agreements, protocols and arrangements to maintain peace and tranquillity along the LAC in India-China border areas in the interim."

 

It clearly said that China’s unilateral decision to bring about a legislation "which can have implication on our existing bilateral arrangements on border management as well as on the boundary question is of concern to us." It added, "Such unilateral move will have no bearing on the arrangements that both sides have already reached earlier, whether it is on the Boundary Question or for maintaining peace and tranquillity along the LAC in India-China Border areas."

 

 

It said that India also expects that China will "avoid undertaking action under the pretext of this law which could unilaterally alter the situation in the India-China border areas. Furthermore, the passage of this new law does not in our view confer any legitimacy to the so-called China Pakistan "Boundary Agreement” of 1963 which Government of India has consistently maintained is an illegal and invalid agreement.”