The China-India Border Dispute: Roots of the Problem,Progress in Negotiations and a Path Forward

　　ABSTRACT: For the past 60 years, the China-India border dispute has disrupted the development of bilateral relations between the two states. Historically, a range of factors complicated efforts to resolve the dispute, which can be parsed into four phases. Since the 1950s, the two sides have engaged in a prolonged debate over whether to officially demarcate the border, over the legality of the McMahon Line, and over principles for delimiting the border. As talks progressed, China and India determined a three step roadmap for the resolution of the border issue that might ensure long term peace and stability. At present though, the border issue continues to be the main obstacle to building political trust between India and China, and considerable challenges to resolution remain.