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Leader Magazine
Vol.3.No.3.                    November 1962
BACKGROUND TO THE NEWS.
The border dispute between India and China involves two areas, both in the Himalayan mountains. One is in the North West, in Kashmir, Ladakh. Kashmir is already the subject of a dispute between India and Pakistan. Before British India was divided into India and Pakistan, the Maharajah of Kashmir,a Hindu, ruled over the population Moslems.
In 1947, when India and Pakistan became independent, his Moslem subjects revolted and he appealed to India for help. They sent him troops to Kashmir. Pakistan supported the Moslems and also sent troops to Kashmir. Fighting continued until a cease-fire was agreed upon, with the United Nation's help, in 1949. An uneasy truce now exists.
Kashmir has a common border with Tibet which is under the nominal rule of the Dalai Llama, the Buddhist monk, but since 1959 Tibet has been under Chinese control and military occupation. The capital of Tibet Lhasa. The Ladakhis are Buddhists with religious ties with Tibet.
The border between Tibet and India in this area was last defined in 1683. The Chinese, even before the present outbreak of fighting, had occupied twelve hundred square miles South of the frontier, claimed by China. They have built a strategic road, and set up a Chinese Administration there. Parts of this area are over 20,000 feet high. The Chinese, by massive attacks seem to be trying to seize a tactical advantage before the snows begin, when military operations in this area become impossible.
The other area of dispute is at the Eastern end of the Himalayas and is known as the North East Frontier Agency. Here the border is the MacMahon Line, which was agreed by Britain, Tibet and China in 1914. China seems now to have claimed 30,000 square miles South of the line. The Chinese here, advanced, and captured the town of Towang, which gives access to a strategic road into India.
The Chinese are reported to have 30,000 troops in the area and India admits 2,000 casualties. India has offered to open talks if the Chinese will retire to the line held before the recent advance. China has refused to do this.
The Chinese have about 2,000,000 men under arms throughout, China and Tibet. India has a regular army of 45,000 men, and has appealed to Britain and the USA to supply her with small arms. Dr Nehru, of India is now realising that his policy of neutrality has not protected India from invasion.
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