Sino-Indian Border Conflict and Implications for Bilateral Relations.

The dynamism of Sino-Indian relations is a key determinant of the connectivity, geopolitics and geo-economics of the region and a driver of politics and economy of South Asia. China and India are collaborating with each other in multiple sectors but at the same time they are unable to resolve their border disputes. Due to that, tensions on the border are a routine matter. In June 2017, a border conflict escalated to a ten weeks military standoff at the Doklam Plateau, i.e., an area claimed by China and owned by Bhutan. There was a continuous threat that military stalemate will turn into a full-fledged war anytime but nevertheless the conflict ended without any major confrontation. There were certain factors including geopolitical situation, trade relations, economic ties, power imbalance and international image, etc. that led to de-escalation of conflict. The paper recommends that both the nations have to work on some permanent solutions for resolution of these territorial disputes because they may sabotage the peace process anytime affecting not only the bilateral relations but peace and harmony of the entire South Asian region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]