Lok Sabha Question No. 2722 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Border Disputes with Neighbouring Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: P. C. MOHAN, MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2722 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## BORDER DISPUTES WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

## † 2722. SHRI P. C. MOHAN: SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of border disputes between India and its neighbouring countries including China and Pakistan;
- (b) whether a high degree of mistrust continues between India and its neighbours mainly due to border disputes;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken to solve these disputes; and
- (d) the details of the policy initiatives taken by Government in the last more than one year to have cordial relations with our neighbours?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) to (d) Information has been compiled and placed at Annexure.

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## BORDER DISPUTES WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

|   S. No. | Name of Country   | Details of border disputes between India and its neighbouring countries including China and Pakistan (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | Whether a high degree of mistrust continues between India and its neighbours mainly due to border disputes (b)   | If so, the details thereof and the steps taken to solve these disputes (c)   | Details of the policy initiatives taken by Government in the last more than one year to have cordial relations with our neighbours (d)                                                                                                                       |
|----------|-------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | BANGLADESH        | During the visit of our Prime Minister to Bangladesh in June 2015, the Land Boundary Agreement between India and Bangladesh of 1974 and its Protocol of 2011 were ratified. The implementation of the Agreement and Protocol has settled all outstanding land boundary issues between India and Bangladesh. The award rendered by Arbitration Tribunal for Delimitation of Maritime Boundary between India and Bangladesh on July 7, 2014 has settled maritime boundary between India and Bangladesh. | Does not arise                                                                                                   | Does not arise                                                               | Does not arise                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|        2 | BHUTAN            | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | Does not arise                                                                                                   | Does not arise                                                               | India and Bhutan share exemplary bilateral relationship. India is Bhutan's largest trading and development partner. The special relationship has been sustained by the tradition of regular high-level political exchanges and regular meetings of bilateral |

## ANNEXURE

|    |       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | mechanisms in diverse sectors between the two countries.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|----|-------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  3 | CHINA | India shares a long land border with China in the Indian states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. China disputes the international boundary between India and China. In the Eastern Sector, China claims approximately 90,000 square kms of Indian territory in the State of Arunachal Pradesh. Indian territory under the occupation of China in Jammu & Kashmir is approximately 38,000 sq. kms In addition, under the so-called China-Pakistan 'Boundary Agreement' signed between China and Pakistan on 2 March 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. kms. of Indian territory in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to China. The fact that Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir are integral and inalienable parts of India has been clearly conveyed to the Chinese side on several occasions, including at the highest level. | The two sides have agreed to appoint Special Representatives to explore the framework for a boundary settlement from the political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship. The 20 th round of the Special Representatives Talks on the India-China boundary question was held in New Delhi on 22 December 2017. The two sides are committed to seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question through dialogue and peaceful negotiations. | During the visit of Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping to India in September 2014, the two sides forged a Closer Developmental Partnership, which was further consolidated during the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to China in May 2015. In our multifaceted engagement with China, in areas where we have commonality of views, engagement has expanded and upgraded in recent years. Issues where there are differences are being handled through dialogue to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution based on mutual respect and due sensitivity to each other's interests, concerns and aspirations. Accordingly, both sides have been working towards utilizing their bilateral dialogue mechanisms to promote mutually beneficial cooperation. Both sides agree that progress in bilateral relations should be guided by the consensus reached between their leaders that at a time of global uncertainty, India- China relations are a factor of stability and India and China, in their relationship, must not allow differences to become disputes. |

|   4. | MYANMAR   | There is no border dispute between India and Myanmar. However, certain sectors of India-Myanmar boundary remain to be demarcated.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | Does not arise                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | Regular dialogue is held between India and Myanmar on issues related with boundary demarcation and border management, through institutionalised mechanisms such as Joint Boundary Working Group, Foreign Office Consultations, National Level Meetings, Sectoral Level Meetings and Heads of Survey Department meeting.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | Regular dialogue is held between India and Myanmar on issues related with boundary demarcation and border management, through institutionalised mechanisms such as Joint Boundary Working Group, Foreign Office Consultations, National Level Meetings, Sectoral Level Meetings and Heads of Survey Department meeting.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|------|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    5 | NEPAL     | India and Nepal share an open border. Strip maps pertaining to 98% of the boundary have been agreed to and initialled in 2007. The matter regarding formal signing of boundary strip maps is being pursued with Government of Nepal.                                                                                                                                                                                                    | Not applicable                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | Does not arise                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | India and Nepal bilateral relationship is unique and is sustained by a tradition of regular high-level political exchanges and regular meetings of bilateral mechanisms in diverse sectors between the two countries.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|    6 | PAKISTAN  | Pakistan is in illegal and forcible occupation of approximately 78,000 sq. kms of Indian Territory in Jammu and Kashmir. In addition, under the so-called Sino-Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. kms in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to China. The International Boundary in the Sir Creek area and International Maritime Boundary line (IMBL) between India and Pakistan have not been demarcated. | Pakistan has launched attacks on India in 1948, 1965, 1971 and 1999. Pakistan also supported insurgency and terrorism in the State of Jammu & Kashmir and also aids and abets cross- border terrorism targeted against India which endangers security and stability not only of India but of | Government's consistent policy has been that it desires good neighbourly relations with Pakistan. However, this necessarily requires an environment free from terror, hostility and violence. Government has reached out to Pakistan whenever the opportunity arose. This included the invitation to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the swearing- in ceremony of the Government in May 2014; the visit of External Affairs Minister to Islamabad in December 2015 for the Heart of Asia Ministerial Summit; and stop over by Prime Minister at Lahore in December 2015. The challenge of cross-border terrorism, ceasefire violations by Pakistan and support to anti-India organisations operating freely in Pakistan, continue to be our core concern. The counter terrorism operations of 29 September 2016 demonstrated the resolve of the Government to take firm and decisive steps to deal with terrorism and issues related to national security. Government desires good-neighbourly relations with Pakistan. It is | Government's consistent policy has been that it desires good neighbourly relations with Pakistan. However, this necessarily requires an environment free from terror, hostility and violence. Government has reached out to Pakistan whenever the opportunity arose. This included the invitation to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the swearing- in ceremony of the Government in May 2014; the visit of External Affairs Minister to Islamabad in December 2015 for the Heart of Asia Ministerial Summit; and stop over by Prime Minister at Lahore in December 2015. The challenge of cross-border terrorism, ceasefire violations by Pakistan and support to anti-India organisations operating freely in Pakistan, continue to be our core concern. The counter terrorism operations of 29 September 2016 demonstrated the resolve of the Government to take firm and decisive steps to deal with terrorism and issues related to national security. Government desires good-neighbourly relations with Pakistan. It is |

|    |           |     | the entire region. Pakistan covets territory of J&K which is an integral part of India.   | for Pakistan to honour its publicly stated commitment not to allow any territory under its control to be used against India in any manner and take effective and credible action to put an end to cross border terrorism.   | for Pakistan to honour its publicly stated commitment not to allow any territory under its control to be used against India in any manner and take effective and credible action to put an end to cross border terrorism.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|----|-----------|-----|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  7 | SRI LANKA | Nil | Does not arise                                                                            | Does not arise                                                                                                                                                                                                              | Bilateral engagement has been intensified in diverse areas, focussing in particular on development partnership and economic &commercial ties. Efforts are ongoing to further deepen the bilateral engagement by: (a) regular high level exchanges (b) enhanced cooperation in Development Partnership (c) Negotiation of a comprehensive India-Sri Lanka Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement, where 7 rounds have already been held. An ongoing irritant in the bilateral relations pertains to the fishermen issues . To find a permanent solution, a 2+2 initiative was launched in November 2016, when the Foreign and Fisheries Ministers of the two countries met in New Delhi. In the meeting, a bilateral Joint Working Group (JWG) mechanism was institutionalised to address the fishermen issues. It was also agreed that Ministers for Fisheries of the two countries meet every six months to review the progress. So far three rounds of the JWG meeting have been held. The 3 rd meeting of the JWG and the 2 nd Ministerial meeting held on 13 October and 14 October 2017 respectively in New Delhi took stock of the measures taken by both sides to address the fishermen issues. |

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