India and China have a long history of both cooperation and tension, with the two countries sharing a border since ancient times. 

Both countries have made tremendous progress in the last few decades, and they could do even better if they worked together to leverage their strengths and resources. I'm talking about lifting millions out of poverty, creating robust companies and developing tech.

Cooperation between the two countries could bring about economic and social progress, with the potential to create jobs, reduce poverty, and improve living standards. 

They could collaborate to address global issues such as climate change, poverty, and international security. 

Working together would also help build trust and confidence between the two countries and reduce the risk of conflict. 

India and China could make great strides in the 21st century if they worked together to capitalize on their respective strengths and resources.

, Indian forces barred their Chinese counterparts from entering Indian territory during a border skirmish last week. India claims that China is attempting to "alter the status quo" on the contentious border. 

Now, this is nothing new. Border clashes have been happening on and off over the pas years, with some even amounting to deaths. 

Following confrontations last week, China has been accused by India of attempting to "unilaterally change the status quo" on their disputed Himalayan boundary.

Rajnath Singh, the defence minister of India, 

 parliament on Tuesday, referring to China's People's Liberation Army and the de facto border. "On 9 December 2022, PLA troops attempted to unilaterally change the status quo by encroaching on the Line of Actual Control, in the Yangtse area of Tawang Sector.

"Our army stood firm against China's attempt. This confrontation turned into a fight. Bravely preventing the PLA from invading our area, the Indian army compelled them to retreat to their positions. The skirmish resulted in some injuries to soldiers on both sides, he claimed.

The de facto border between Chinese and Indian-controlled areas runs from Ladakh in the west to the easternmost state of India, Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as its full territory. In 1962, a battle over the border broke out between China and India.

A scene from a previous clash between India and China

The recent border scuffles between India and China are a grave reminder of the potential for tensions to escalate between the two countries. 

India has consistently maintained that China has been trying to unilaterally change the status quo on the disputed border. India is justified in its stance, as China's actions are in direct violation of the bilateral agreements that have been established between the two countries. 

China's provocative actions have only served to increase tensions on the border, and India is well within its rights to protect its sovereign territory. 

The fighting between the two nations last week was the first between them since the deadly skirmishes in 

, when Chinese and Indian troops engaged in hand-to-hand combat in the Galwan Valley of Ladakh.

Twenty Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed in the incident,

 and both nations had tens of thousands of soldiers stationed along the Line of Actual Control who were supported by artillery, tanks, and fighter jets.

Since the 2020 conflict, some Indian and Chinese soldiers have retreated from a sensitive area in Ladakh after numerous consultations between military commanders.

 16 rounds of negotiations. The terms have been chosen by the Chinese. 

The agenda, the narratives, and the stories are all wholly Chinese-driven.

 India hasn't had a lot of input into this. In other words, the Chinese are free to act however they choose, whenever they please.

Despite ongoing hostilities between the two Asian superpowers, troops on both sides have complied with established procedures to keep weapons away from the Line of Actual Control.

 between India and the United States last month in the China-bordering state of Uttarakhand in northern India.

India was advancing its security cooperation with the US, Japan, and Australia in the Asia-Pacific area - the so-called Quad alliance - even before the conflict in June 2020.

Indian and US soldiers during the joint military drills

Following the 2020 conflict, India outlawed hundreds of mobile applications with Chinese roots, including TikTok.

The tax authorities have seized Chinese businesses with operations in India, including cellphone manufacturers Xiaomi and Huawei.

India has been patient and diplomatic in its response to the situation. It is evident that China is looking for trouble with India with these border disputes. 

From aggressive military posturing to provocative actions along the disputed border, China has continuously sought to challenge India's sovereignty and destabilize the region. 

China's actions are a clear violation of bilateral agreements and international law, and they have only served to heighten tensions between the two countries. 

It is essential that India stands firm and defends its territorial integrity. China must be held accountable for its aggressive behavior and desist from any attempts to change the status quo on the disputed border.

China & India clash over border disputes again

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