Title: A resolution condemning the People's Republic of China's use of military aggression to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control between India and China.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution condemns China's use of military force at the Line of Actual Control (i.e., the effective border between India and China) and supports a diplomatic solution that restores the line's demarcation in accordance with China's previous agreement with India. The resolution also commends India's efforts to secure its telecommunications infrastructure from Chinese security threats and expresses support for a strengthened U.S. partnership with India.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 680 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 680

Condemning the People's Republic of China's use of military aggression 
 to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control between India 
                               and China.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            August 13, 2020

    Mr. Cornyn (for himself and Mr. Warner) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Condemning the People's Republic of China's use of military aggression 
 to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control between India 
                               and China.

Whereas, since a truce ended the 1962 war between India and the People's 
        Republic of China, the countries have been divided by a Line of Actual 
        Control;
Whereas the United States officially recognizes the McMahon Line, the Indian 
        state of Arunachal Pradesh, and encourages a diplomatic solution to 
        remaining contested areas of the border between India and China;
Whereas, due to the disputed nature of the Line of Actual Control, minor 
        standoffs between India and the People's Republic of China have 
        occasionally happened, but prior to June 15, 2020, no military 
        fatalities had occurred since 1975;
Whereas, in the months leading up to June 15, 2020, the People's Republic of 
        China increased troop deployments, built new infrastructure in contested 
        areas, and harassed Indian patrols along multiple sectors of the Line of 
        Actual Control, particularly around the Depsang Plains, Galwan Valley, 
        Hot Springs, and Pangong Lake;
Whereas the events of June 15, 2020, which resulted in the death of 20 Indian 
        soldiers, raises serious concerns regarding the intent of the Government 
        of the People's Republic of China and its military forces;
Whereas this act by the People's Republic of China military occurred during 
        bilateral diplomatic negotiations between the Governments of the 
        People's Republic of China and India, who were attempting to deescalate 
        tensions at the Line of Actual Control;
Whereas the Government of the People's Republic of China's expanded territorial 
        claims in Bhutan's eastern sector is a transparent attempt at expanding 
        its illegitimate claims over the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh;
Whereas the United States designated India as a Major Defense Partner and has 
        taken steps to deepen the bilateral defense relationship, including by 
        elevating India to Strategic Trade Authorization Tier 1 Status and 
        conducting annual joint military exercises;
Whereas the United States Government remains committed to a free and open Indo-
        Pacific and views China's aggression at the Line of Actual Control, in 
        the Indian Ocean, and in the Western Pacific as a threat to the 
        stability and security of the international community;
Whereas the Government of India has taken steps to secure its telecommunications 
        infrastructure from Chinese security threats;
Whereas it mutually benefits the United States and India to strengthen their 
        Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership through increased defense 
        interoperability, intelligence sharing, access to military 
        installations, and trade;
Whereas the United States and India have signed three foundational military 
        agreements, the General Security of Military Information Agreement, the 
        Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Understanding, and the Communications, 
        Compatibility, and Security Agreement, and are working to sign the Basic 
        Exchange and Cooperation Agreement; and
Whereas it is in the mutual interest of the United States and India to expand 
        their defense and intelligence relationships both bilaterally, as well 
        as multilaterally through the Quadrilateral Dialogue with Japan and 
        Australia: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) condemns the People's Republic of China's use of 
        military force to change the status quo at the Line of Actual 
        Control, as well as its refusal to demarcate that Line in 
        accordance with past bilateral agreements with India;
            (2) supports a diplomatic solution that rapidly restores 
        the April 2020 status quo at the Line of Actual Control;
            (3) commends India for taking steps to secure its 
        telecommunications infrastructure from Chinese security threats 
        and encourages multilateral engagement in these efforts, 
        including through the Blue Dot Network;
            (4) commits to deepening defense, intelligence, and 
        economic ties with India in line with fulfilling the full 
        potential of the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership; 
        and
            (5) supports bilateral and multilateral partnerships, such 
        as the Quadrilateral Dialogue, to promote a rules-based order 
        in the Indo-Pacific.
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