The Line of Actual Control (LAC) serves as the de facto boundary between the two Asian countries, China & India. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs, there is a 3,488 km-long border running through Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Ladakh, while China claims it to be only around 2000 km.
These border disputes between India-China Border is stem from colonial times, and this fundamental disagreement has led to many repeated standoffs, military clashes, and rising diplomatic and geopolitical tension between India & China.
For the student qho are preparing for UPSC, State PCS exams, or any other exams like SSC CGL, CHSL, Railways, Banking, or any competitive exam, the India-China bordering state, their disputes, are a critical topic under General Studies Paper II (International Relations) & and General Studues Paper III (Internal Security), and in terms of statistics and border-related questions, which are repeatedly asked in every exam.
So, explore this article completely with Overview of the India-China Border & Bilateral Relations, Sectoral Breakdown of the Line of Actual Control, important Key Events in India-China Border History with major Bilateral Agreements Between India and China.
Overview of the India-China Border & Bilateral Relations
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Fact
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Detail
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Total Border Length (India’s claim)
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Approximately 3,488 km
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Total Border Length (China’s claim)
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Approximately 2,000 km
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De facto Boundary Line
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Line of Actual Control (LAC)
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Sectors of the Border
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Western Sector, Middle Sector, Eastern Sector
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Western Sector Dispute
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Aksai Chin – controlled by China, claimed by India
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Eastern Sector Dispute
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Arunachal Pradesh – controlled by India, claimed by China
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Formal Boundary Line (Eastern)
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McMahon Line (drawn in 1914; China does not recognise it)
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Last Major War
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Sino-Indian War, October–November 1962
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Most Recent Deadly Clash
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Galwan Valley, June 2020
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2024 Development
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India-China Patrolling Agreement on Depsang and Demchok
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2025 Development
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Chinese FM Wang Yi visits India; diplomatic reset continues
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India-China Trade (2023)
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Approximately USD 136 billion; India runs a large trade deficit
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Which States and Union Territories Share the LAC With China?
There are four Indian states and one union territory that share the LAC border with China, with a total of 3488 kms, which are the following:
1. Ladakh
2. Himachal Pradesh
3. Uttarakhand
4. Sikkim
5. Arunachal Pradesh
Source: NCERT
Sectoral Breakdown of the Line of Actual Control
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Sector
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Geographic Scope
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Contested Areas & Friction Points
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Border Length
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Western Sector
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Union Territory of Ladakh
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Aksai Chin, Depsang Plains, Galwan Valley, Hot Springs, Gogra, Pangong Tso, Demchok
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~1,570 km
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Middle Sector
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Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
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Kaurik, Shipki La, Barahoti Plains, Pulam Sumda
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~545 km
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Eastern Sector
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Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh
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Nathu La, Doklam Plateau, Tawang, Upper Subansiri, Yangtse, Fish Tails
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~1,325 km
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Depsang and Demchok: Why Are These Two Places Important?
About Demchok and Depsang
Depsang Plains:
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The Depsang plains are located close to Daulat Beg Oldie.
This is a crucial point near the Sub-Sector North (SSN), which consists of the Depsang Plains and Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO).
Currently, the airfield at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) is accessible by the 255 km long Darbuk-Shyok-DBO (DSDBO) road.
There have been disputes between India & China in the Depsang plains, while China are always trying to block the Indian Army patrolling from going up to the PPs 10, 11, 11A, 12 and 13, beyond the Y junction.
The Depsang Plains are also very close to the Karakoram Pass, which is strategic to the Saltoro Ridge and Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield.
Demchok:
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Demchok is located in the southern part of Eastern Ladakh.
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The main problem is at the Charding Ninglung Nullah (CNN) junction in the Demchok area.
India-China Border: Important Key Events in India-China Border History
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Year
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Event
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Location
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Key Outcome
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1962
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Sino-Indian War
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Eastern and Western Sectors
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India defeated; China retains Aksai Chin; ceasefire declared
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1967
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Nathu La and Cho La Clashes
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Sikkim
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India repulsed Chinese forces; India’s tactical success
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1975
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Arunachal Pradesh Incident
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Eastern Sector
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Last armed clash before Galwan 2020; four Indian soldiers killed
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1987
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Sumdorong Chu Standoff
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Arunachal Pradesh
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Both sides mobilised divisions; resolved diplomatically
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2017
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Doklam Standoff
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Doklam (Bhutan Trijunction)
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73-day standoff; China withdrew after diplomatic pressure; Bhutan involved
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June 2020
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Galwan Valley Clash
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Eastern Ladakh
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20 Indian soldiers killed; India’s worst loss since 1962; major turning point
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December 2022
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Yangtse Clash
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Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
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300 Chinese troops attempted incursion; hand-to-hand combat; both sides withdrew
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October 2024
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India-China Patrolling Agreement
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Depsang and Demchok
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Patrolling restored to pre-2020 status; diplomatic breakthrough
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October 2024
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Modi-Xi Meeting in Kazan
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Russia (BRICS Summit)
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Both leaders agreed to mend ties; reset of diplomatic relations begins
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January 2025
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Wang Yi visits India
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New Delhi
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First Chinese FM visit since 2024 disengagement; direct flights, visas discussed
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Key Bilateral Agreements Between India and China
After the long disputes over the India-China border, there have been major bilateral agreements between India and China, and the first major bilateral agreement was held in 1993, 1996, 2005, 2013, and 2024. Here, all agreements are given below:
Agreement on Maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity along the LAC
Year: 1993
Key Provision:
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It was the first major agreement between India & China on disputes.
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Prohibition of the use of force
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Required troops to stay within LAC positions
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Laid the foundation for further CBMs.
Agreement on Military Confidence-Building Measures
Year: 1996
Key Provision:
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Limited types of military exercises and weapons near the LAC.
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Banned live-fire exercises within 2 km of the LAC.
Protocol on Modalities for Implementation
Year: 2005
Key Provision:
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Implementation of practical steps for the 1993 and 1996 agreements.
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Also added the specific protocols on troop movements.
Border Defence Cooperation Agreement
Year: 2013
Key Provision:
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Establishment of designated meeting points and hotlines for local commanders for making the direct communication.
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Also aimed to prevent direct face-off from escalating.
India-China Patrolling Agreement
Year: 2024
Key Provision:
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Reached in October 2024 after the 2020 standoff.
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Restored patrolling rights to pre-2020 status in Depsang and Demchok.
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Patrolling by both sides resumed at these friction points.