Sumdorong Chu standoff

{{Short description|Military conflict between the Indian and Chinese forces}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}

{{Infobox military conflict | conflict = Sumdorong Chu standoff | partof = | map_type = Tibet#India Arunachal Pradesh | map_relief = | coordinates = {{coord|27.7818|91.7813|display=inline, title}} | date = 1986–1987 | place = Sumdorong Chu Valley, McMahon Line (Sino-Indian border) | territory = | result = ''Status quo ante bellum'' *Indian PM invited to Beijing for border peace talks given India's strong position in the region | combatant1 = 22px India | combatant2 = 22px China | commander1 = 22px President R. Venkataraman 22px Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi 22px General Krishnaswamy Sundarji | commander2 = {{Flagicon|China}} General Secretary Zhao Ziyang {{Flagicon|China}} Chairman Deng Xiaoping {{Flagicon|China}} Premier Li Peng {{Flagicon|China}} President Li Xiannian | strength1 = | strength2 = | casualties1 = | casualties2 = | notes = }} thumb|right|305px|Sumdorong Chu and vicinity {{OSM Location map | coord = {{coord|27.774|91.679}}  | float = right | zoom = 11 | width = 380 | height = 300 | caption = {{center|Dhola Post and environs{{sfnp|Hoffmann, India and the China Crisis|1990|loc=Map 8, p. 139}}{{efn|The border between Bhutan and India shown in the map was agreed much later, during 1973–1984. It was not in effect in 1962. The border between India and Tibet is OpenStreetMap's representation of "on-the-ground" situation at the current time.}}{{efn|The location of the Khinzemane post is 1.5 miles northeast of the mouth of Namka Chu.}}}} | minimap = | mini-file = | mini-width = | mini-height = | minipog-x = | minipog-y = | scalemark = 120 | shape = image | nolabels = 1  | mark-coord1 = {{coord|27|49|05|N|91|40|25|E}} | mark1 = Red pog.svg | mark-size1 = 6 | label1 = Dhola |labela1 = Post | label-size1 = 10 | label-color1 = hard red | label-pos1 = bottom  | mark-title1 = Dhola Post | mark-image1 = | mark-description1 = Indian border post in 1962  | mark-coord2 = {{coord|27.8070063|91.6435675}}  | mark2 = BlackRedMountain.svg | mark-size2 = 20 | label2 = Tsangdhar | label-size2 = 10 | label-color2 = hard red | label-pos2 = left | label-offset-x2 = 0 | label-offset-y2 = -5 | mark-title2 = Tsangdhar | mark-image2 = | mark-description2 = Indian air drop location  | mark-coord3 = {{coord|27.7677260|91.6602522}} | mark3 = Mountain pass 12x12 ne.svg | mark-size3 = 10 | label3 = Dhola Pass | label-size3 = 10 | label-color3 = hard red | label-pos3 = left | mark-title3 = Dhola Pass | mark-image3 = | mark-description3 =  | mark-coord4 = {{coord|27.7957578|91.7407834}}  | mark4 = Red pog.svg | mark-size4 = 6 | label4 = Khinzemane |labela4 = Post | label-size4 = 10 | label-color4 = hard red | label-pos4 = right | label-offset-x4 = -35 | label-offset-y4 = -5 | mark-title4 = Khinzemane Post | mark-image4 = | mark-description4 = Grazing ground; location of an Indian post, 1959–1962  | mark-coord5 = {{coord|27.8183747|91.7508716}} | mark5 = Red pog.svg | mark-size5 = 8 | label5 = Le | label-size5 = 10 | label-color5 = hard red | label-pos5 = top | label-offset-x5 = 0 | label-offset-y5 = 0 | mark-title5 = Le (Lai) | mark-image5 = | mark-description5 = Tibetan town  | mark-coord6 = {{coord|27.7767145|91.7101807}} | mark6 = Red pog.svg | mark-size6 = 6 | label6 = Hatung La | label-size6 = 10 | label-color6 = hard red | label-pos6 = left | label-offset-x6 = 0 | label-offset-y6 = 0 | mark-title6 = Hatung La | mark-image6 = | mark-description6 = Indian army base  | mark-coord7 = {{coord|27.76094|91.70103}} | mark7 = Red pog.svg | mark-size7 = 6 | label7 = Zirkhim | label-size7 = 10 | label-color7 = hard red | label-pos7 = left | label-offset-x7 = 0 | label-offset-y7 = 0 | mark-title7 = Zirkhim | mark-image7 = | mark-description7 = Indian army base  | mark-coord8 = {{coord|27.7253700|91.7070000}} | mark8 = Red pog.svg | mark-size8 = 7 | label8 = Lumpo | label-size8 = 10 | label-color8 = hard red | label-pos8 = left | label-offset-x8 = 0 | label-offset-y8 = 0 | mark-title8 = Lumpo | mark-image8 = | mark-description8 = Indian village with a helipad  | mark-coord9 = {{coord|27.7106891|91.7300530}} | mark9 = Red pog.svg | mark-size9 = 8 | label9 = Zemithang | label-size9 = 10 | label-color9 = hard red | label-pos9 = left | label-offset-x9 = 0 | label-offset-y9 = 0 | mark-title9 = Zemithang | mark-image9 = | mark-description9 = Indian village with a helipad  | mark-coord10 = {{coord|27.8328|91.5855}} | mark10 = AS-rzeka-icon.svg | mark-size10 = 12 | label10 = Namkha Chu | label-size10 = 10 | label-color10 = hard blue | label-pos10 = top | label-offset-x10 = 6 | label-offset-y10 = 0 | mark-title10 = Namkha Chu | mark-image10 = | mark-description10 = Tributary of Nyamjang Chu  | mark-coord11 = {{coord|27.8300|91.6571}} | mark11 = AS-rzeka-icon.svg | mark-size11 = 12 | label11 = Namkha Chu | label-size11 = 10 | label-color11 = hard blue | label-pos11 = top | label-offset-x11 = 4 | label-offset-y11 = 0 | mark-title11 = Namkha Chu | mark-image11 = | mark-description11 = Tributary of Nyamjang Chu  | mark-coord12 = {{coord|27.7976|91.702}}  | mark12 = AS-rzeka-icon.svg | mark-size12 = 12 | label12 = Namkha Chu | label-size12 = 10 | label-color12 = hard blue | label-pos12 = left | label-offset-x12 = 4 | label-offset-y12 = 0 | mark-title12 = Namkha Chu | mark-image12 = | mark-description12 = Tributary of Nyamjang Chu  | mark-coord14 = {{coord|27.8428|91.7712}}  | mark14 = AS-rzeka-icon.svg | mark-size14 = 12 | label14 = Nyamjang Chu | label-size14 = 10 | label-color14 = hard blue | label-pos14 = right | label-offset-x14 = 0 | label-offset-y14 = 0 | mark-title14 = Nyamjang Chu | mark-image14 = | mark-description14 = Flows from Tibet to Arunachal Pradesh  | mark-coord15 = {{coord|27.6939|91.7131}}  | mark15 = AS-rzeka-icon.svg | mark-size15 = 12 | label15 = Nyamjang Chu | label-size15 = 10 | label-color15 = hard blue | label-pos15 = right | label-offset-x15 = 0 | label-offset-y15 = 0 | mark-title15 = Nyamjang Chu | mark-image15 = | mark-description15 = Flows from Tibet to Arunachal Pradesh  | mark-coord16 = {{coord|27.611|91.7003}} | mark16 = AS-rzeka-icon.svg | mark-size16 = 12 | label16 = Nyamjang Chu | label-size16 = 10 | label-color16 = hard blue | label-pos16 = left | label-offset-x16 = 0 | label-offset-y16 = 0 | mark-title16 = Nyamjang Chu | mark-image16 = | mark-description16 = Flows from Tibet to Arunachal Pradesh  | mark-coord17 = {{coord|27.78563|91.78415}} | mark17 = AS-rzeka-icon.svg | mark-size17 = 12 | label17 = Sumdorong Chu | label-size17 = 10 | label-color17 = hard blue | label-pos17 = top | label-offset-x17 = 0 | label-offset-y17 = 0 | mark-title17 = Sumdorong Chu | mark-image17 = | mark-description17 = Flows west into Nyamjang Chu  | mark-coord19 = {{coord|27.8501514|91.6719784}} | mark19 = Geobox Mountain Range.svg | mark-size19 = 14 | label19 = Thagla ridge | label-size19 = 10 | label-color19 = hard red | label-pos19 = top | mark-title19 = Thagla ridge | mark-image19 = | mark-description19 = claimed by India  | mark-coord20 = {{coord|27.7234530|91.8915958}} | mark20 = Mountain pass 12x12 n.svg | mark-size20 = 12 | label20 = Bum La | label-size20 = 10 | label-color20 = hard red | label-pos20 = top | mark-title20 = Bum La pass | mark-image20 = | mark-description20 = Border pass between China and India  | mark-coord21 = {{coord|27.5879186|91.8637330}} | mark21 = Red pog.svg | mark-size21 = 10 | label21 = Tawang | label-size21 = 11 | label-color21 = hard red | label-pos21 = top | mark-title21 = Tawang | mark-image21 = | mark-description21 = District headquarters; historic town

| mark-coord22 = {{coord|27.7828|91.73459}}  | mark22= Red pog.svg | mark-size22= 6 | label22 = New | labela22 = Khinzemane |labelb22 = Post | label-size22 = 10 | label-color22 = hard red | label-pos22 = bottom | label-offset-x22 = 15 | label-offset-y22 = 0 | mark-title22 = New Khinzemane Post | mark-image22 = | mark-description22 = location of an Indian post, after 1962

}} [[File:McMahon-Line-map-Tawang-sector.jpg|thumb|right|380px|The McMahon Line in the Tawang sector.]]

In 1986–87, a military standoff took place between India and China in the Sumdorong Chu Valley bordering the Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh and Cona County, Tibet. It was initiated by China moving a company of troops to '''Wangdung''', a pasture to the south of Sumdorong Chu that India believed to be its territory. The Indian troops stood their ground on the neighbouring '''Longro La''' ridge{{Efn|Alternative spellings include '''Langro La''' and '''Lungro La'''.}} and both the sides moved a large number of troops to the border. The crisis was diffused after the visit of Indian External Affairs minister to Beijing in May 1987. The standoff gave rise to fears of escalation. Subsequently, India and China formulated agreements for managing future border tensions.{{sfnp|Lintner, China's India War|2018|pp=210–211}}{{sfnp|Pardesi, Managing the Sumdorong Chu crisis|2020|pp=537–538}}

==Background==

===1962: India's Namka Chu defeat===

Since 1962, India had not returned to the site of its major defeat at Namka Chu, an east–west running stream which separates the Thag La ridge to the north and the Hathung La ridge to its south. India's efforts to occupy the Thag La ridge was the ''casus belli'' for the October 1962 Chinese military attack on India.

===1962-80s: Indian need for defense north of Tawang=== {{anchor | Defensible }}

Because there were no other feasible defensive locations north of Tawang, the Indian government had more or less decided that in the event of a new war, they would abandon the Tawang town and prepare for battle at the Se La pass to its south. However, after a 1980 review, it was decided by the military strategists that it was important to defend Tawang in a future conflict.<ref>[https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19980518-line-of-actual-control-remains-sore-point-between-india-and-china-826413-1998-05-18 Line of Actual Control remains sore point between India and China] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714043544/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19980518-line-of-actual-control-remains-sore-point-between-india-and-china-826413-1998-05-18 |date=14 July 2020 }} ("LAC: Chequered Past", printed along with "George in China Shop"), India Today, 18 May 1998.</ref> The army made it clear that the only viable line of defence for Tawang would be along the Hathung La ridge.

==Sumdorong Chu standoff == {{anchor | Standoff}}

===1983-84: Indian intelligence survey === {{anchor | Survey }}

In 1983, an Intelligence Bureau team went to the pasturage of Sumdorong Chu which is north-east of the confluence of the Namka Chu and Nyamjiang Chu. The intelligence team stayed through the summer and returned in winter. This procedure was followed for two years. In 1986, the Indian team found that the Chinese had preceded them and set up semi-permanent structures there and were not willing to budge.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Joshi|first=Manoj|author-link=Manoj Joshi (journalist)|date=3 July 2017|title=Operation Falcon: When General Sundarji took the Chinese by surprise|url=https://www.orfonline.org/research/operation-falcon-when-general-sundarji-took-the-chinese-by-surprise/|access-date=2020-10-10|website=ORF|language=en-US|archive-date=6 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106183616/https://www.orfonline.org/research/operation-falcon-when-general-sundarji-took-the-chinese-by-surprise/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1986: India's Operation Falcon=== {{anchor | Falcon }}

Under the orders of General Sundarji and codenamed '''Operation Falcon''', the Indians undertook an airlift of troops and vehicles to Zemithang from 18 to 20 October 1986. Taking up locations on multiple heights, including the Hathung La ridge, Indian troops were able to strategically occupy the high ground near Sumdorong Chu. This was followed by more mobilisation by both sides. China called for a flag meeting on 15 November. The standoff continued until May 1987.<ref name=":0" /> It was during the Operation Falcon, that India also occupied the area of '''Pankang Teng Tso''' ('''PTSO''') and '''Kyapho''' (from ''kya'' meaning deer and ''pho'' meaning ''cave'') in 1986, which were later fortified.<ref name=ptso1/>

===1987 Feb-April: India's Operation Chequerboard ===

'''Operation Chequerboard''' (or '''Checker Board''') was a high-altitude military exercise conducted by India along the Chinese border in North East India during the spring of 1987,<ref name=Perkovich/> in the midst of the Sumdorong Chu standoff.{{sfnp|Pardesi, Managing the Sumdorong Chu crisis|2020}} The exercise was conducted to test Indian military response in the Northeast Himalayan region and the US and Soviet reaction to potential Sino-Indian tensions in the region. Scholar Manjeet Pardesi states that it was unclear whether the operation involved mere simulations or also field exercises.{{sfnp|Pardesi, Managing the Sumdorong Chu crisis|2020|loc=note 47, p. 549}} However it did serve the purpose of demonstrating to China the Indian resolve and its military preparedness.<ref>{{harvp|Pardesi, Managing the Sumdorong Chu crisis|2020|p=543}}: "China also noted Sundarji’s Operation Checker Board as well as the ease with [which] India had redeployed many troops from the western border with Pakistan (where they were equipped to fight in the plains) to Arunachal (where they were equipped to fight in the mountains)."</ref>

The exercise involved 10 divisions of the Indian Army and several squadrons of the IAF and a redeployment of troops at several places in North East India. The Indian Army moved 3 divisions to positions around Wangdung,<ref>[https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19880515-general-sundarji-leaves-behind-a-legacy-most-fiercely-disputed-in-the-history-of-the-army-797243-1988-05-15 Disputed Legacy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020191534/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19880515-general-sundarji-leaves-behind-a-legacy-most-fiercely-disputed-in-the-history-of-the-army-797243-1988-05-15 |date=20 October 2021 }}, ''India Today'', May 15, 1988.</ref> where they were supplied and maintained solely by air. These troop reinforcements were over and above the 50,000 troops already present across Arunachal Pradesh.<ref>"Eye-witness in Tibet", Far Eastern Economic Review, June 4, 1987.</ref> The military exercise coincided with statements from India's Chief of Army Staff Krishnaswamy Sundarji that India recognizes the major boundary differences with China and Indian deployments are intended to give Beijing the benefit of the doubt.<ref name=Perkovich>George Perkovich, "Nuclear Capabilities Grow," [https://books.google.com/books?id=UDA9dUryS8EC&pg=PA289 India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation] (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1999), p. 289.</ref>

General Vishwa Nath Sharma has said that Operation Chequerboard was nothing but only a telecom and headquarters exercise and that Sundarji didn't move any brigades and there was nothing on the ground. He further said that it was separately run by the Eastern Command.

===1987 May: Political resolution === {{anchor | Resolution }}

At the end of 1986, India granted statehood to Arunachal Pradesh. The Chinese government proceeded to protest. But the military movements in Tawang, taken in conjunction with this political action were seen as a provocation by the Chinese. In early 1987 Beijing's tone became similar to that of 1962, and with the Indian Army refusing to stand down, Western diplomats predicted war.

The result was a thaw. Indian Foreign Minister N.D. Tiwari arrived in Beijing in May 1987 en route to Pyongyang, North Korea. He carried with him messages from Indian leaders that there was no intention on New Delhi's part to aggravate the situation. The first formal flag meeting to discuss “ the freezing of the situation” since 1962, was held on the fifth of August 1987 at Bum La in the aftermath of the Wangdung affair.<ref>Prakash Katoch. {{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/sikkim-standoff-india-should-be-ready-for-long-haul-as-impasse-may-go-beyond-wangdung-incident-3775047.html|title=Sikkim standoff: India should be ready for long haul as impasse may go beyond Wangdung incident|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710154644/http://www.firstpost.com/world/sikkim-standoff-india-should-be-ready-for-long-haul-as-impasse-may-go-beyond-wangdung-incident-3775047.html|archivedate=10 July 2017|df=dmy-all|work=Firstpost|date=July 10, 2017}}</ref> Both sides decided to take up talks with renewed urgency and the following year in 1988, Rajiv Gandhi visited Beijing, returning Zhou Enlai's '60s visit.<ref>Manoj Joshi, [https://web.archive.org/web/20060524151804/http://www.indiatodaygroup.com/itoday/22021999/obit.html "Obituary: Warrior as Scholar"], ''India Today''.</ref>

==Aftermath==

Both India and China realised the danger of an inadvertent conflict and, after initial posturing, a decision was made to de-escalate their deployments. The fallout from the standoff resulted in India and China restarting dialogue, which had been dormant since the 1962 war. After Rajiv Gandhi's 1988 visit, there was a hiatus of sorts because of political turmoil in India. But finally in 1993, the two countries signed an agreement to ensure peace along the LAC.

The agreement brought in an interesting concept of "mutual and equal security" where thinning of forces was envisaged, based on geographical and logistical considerations. However, its most important element was to have the two sides work out a mutually acceptable Line of Actual Control. As of now, the two sides have their own versions of the line and there are points, especially in the China-Bhutan-India trijunction, the Sumdorong Chu area and so on, where each other's claims continue to be disputed.

To strengthen the defence infrastructure India acquired the land near Lungroo La mountain pass in Lungroo Grazing Ground (LGG) 17 km away from Tawang town,<ref name=LDY1>[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/defmin-acquires-strategic-land-near-sumdorong-chu-flashpoint/articleshow/78862616.cms?from=mdr Defence Ministry acquires strategic land near Sumdorong Chu flashpoint], Economic Times, 26 Oct 2020.</ref> and under the India–China Border Roads (ICBRs) project started to build the strategic LGG-Damteng-Yangtse Road (LDY) to the Indian post near Chumi Gyatse Falls.<ref name=LDY2>[https://www.indiatoday.in/budget/story/union-budget-2025-rs-7146-crore-allocated-for-boosting-border-infrastructure-2673411-2025-02-01 Budget 2025: Rs 7,146 crore allocated for boosting border infrastructure], India Today, 1 Feb 2025.</ref> In 2020, India operationalised the upgraded '''Kyapho Model Post''' (also called ''' Ashish Top Post''') which includes accommodation for 80 people, electricity, running hot water, internet and tv connectivity, etc.<ref name=ptso1>[https://stratnewsglobal.com/documentaries/the-guns-of-kyapho-ptso The Guns Of Kyapho & PTSO], stratnewsglobal.com, 15 Mar 2024.</ref>

==See also== *Sino-Indian border dispute *Sino-Indian War * Sino-Indian border clashes and standoffs: 1967, 2013, 2017, 2020

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography== * {{cite journal |title=China and South Asia (July–September 1986) |journal=China Report |volume=23 |issue=1 |date=February 1987 |pages=113–139 |doi=10.1177/000944558702300111 |s2cid=220874000 |ref={{sfnref|China and South Asia|1987}}}} * {{citation |last=Lintner |first=Bertil |title=China's India War: Collision Course on the Roof of the World |year=2018 |publisher=OUP India |isbn=978-0-19-909163-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-L9DDwAAQBAJ |ref={{sfnref|Lintner, China's India War|2018}}}} * {{cite journal |last1=Pardesi |first1=Manjeet S. |title=Managing the 1986-87 Sino-Indian Sumdorong Chu Crisis |journal=India Review |volume=18 |issue=5 |year=2020 |pages=534–551 |issn=1473-6489 |doi=10.1080/14736489.2019.1703364 |s2cid=213073300 |ref={{sfnref|Pardesi, Managing the Sumdorong Chu crisis|2020}}}}

==Further reading== * {{cite news |title=Dhola-Sadiya bridge not enough, China still miles ahead of India in infrastructure along LAC |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=12 July 2018 |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/dhola-sadiya-bridge-not-enough-china-still-miles-ahead-of-india-in-infrastructure-along-lac/articleshow/58879677.cms|last1=Gurung |first1=Shaurya Karanbir }} * Arjun Subramaniam, [https://theprint.in/opinion/for-operation-falcon-maj-gen-jimmy-asked-for-mules-but-army-chief-sundarji-gave-helicopters/421730/ For Operation Falcon, Maj Gen Jimmy asked for mules but Army chief Sundarji gave helicopters], The Print, 15 May 2020. * Sushant Singh, [https://caravanmagazine.in/interview/general-v-n-sharma-indian-china-conflict-wangdung-tawang-1987-mcmahon-line Army HQ wanted me to withdraw from Wangdung in 1987 but I refused: Retired General VN Sharma], The Caravan, 22 September 2020. * {{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/past-forward/sumdorong-chu-ladakh-like-india-china-face-off-which-took-9-yrs-to-end-but-without-violence/451517/|title=Sumdorong Chu, Ladakh-like India-China face-off which took 9 yrs to end but without violence|date=30 June 2020 }}

==External links== * [http://mil.qianlong.com/37076/2009/11/02/3943@5239534.htm 1987中印边境冲突：印军最后时刻撤销攻击令 (1987 Sino-Indian skirmish military conflicts)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091111110322/http://mil.qianlong.com/37076/2009/11/02/3943%405239534.htm |date=11 November 2009}}, Qianlong Military, 2 November 2009. * [https://opentopomap.org/#map=14/27.78704/91.78039 Wangdung pasture] mapped on OpenTopoMap. Retrieved 26 October 2020. * Ram Naidu, [https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/border-with-china/article28055715.ece Border with China], The Hindu (letter to the editor), 22 November 2000.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sino Indian skirmish, 1987}} Category:Conflicts in 1987 Sino-Indian Skirmish, 1987 Category:1987 in China Category:Military operations involving China Category:Military operations involving India Category:Battles and conflicts without fatalities Category:Rajiv Gandhi administration Category:Armed standoffs in Asia Category:Sino-Indian border dispute