LC and LAC are the de jure or de facto names used to explain the political – military border between India and Pakistan and India and China respectively. Both these are still under dispute in spite of many round of talks at the government level during the last 40 years or more .
In the era of globalisation of business and soft borders in Europe , this situation in the Asian context is an anachronism and the lack of trust and ego clashes translate many times into cross border terrorism in the case of India and Pakistan and alleged encroachments in the case of India and China . This situation also necessitates large scale deployment of Armed Forces at great costs in difficult terrain on permanent basis and frequently tests the nerves of politicians on either side.
The situation on the ground and the human drama played out during peace time on the LC or LAC is quite different . During 1967 when I was posted at Kargil , I saw Pakistani villagers being permitted to cross the LC and fetch water for daily use by the Indian villagers. The troops at the LC never objected to these daily forays . I also saw a house at the LC in the Rajouri sector where one window was on the Indian side and another window on the Pakistan side. Of course , this house was abandoned .
Thanks to no delineation of border north of NJ 9842 in Ladakh region, the Siachen conflict happened . While we have some world records to boast in terms of heights and costs of military operation at this sector , stalemate continues . In NEFA or Tawang sector in particular , there is also a standing dispute on the McMahon Line on the Water shed separating India and China . The Chinese still depend on vintage maps of ancient dynasties to claim territory and there is no meeting ground anywhere .
Where do we go from here? Many opportunities for durable settlements of border were lost in the past either due to lack of foresight or sufficient knowledge of ground realities . Do we continue to harbour such mistrust and commit enormous funds to maintain a fragile status quo or get on to business assimilating the new paradigm on International relations and live in harmony as good neighbours in the future? . A tall order for the politicians on either side indeed- but not unsurmountable.