The McMahon Line: A Century of Discord

Sir Henry McMahon, a British colonial
administrator, drew a line along the Himalayas at the Simla Convention of
1913-14, demarcating what would in later years become the effective boundary
between China and India. The boundary, disputed by India's northern neighbour,
has had a profound effect on the relations between the two Asian giants,
resulting prominently in the war of 1962 but also in several skirmishes and
stand-offs both before and after that. It continues to be a thorn in the side - reaching a flashpoint
at the tri-junction between Tibet, Sikkim and Bhutan in Doklam in 2017 - and
may derail all the progress in bilateral ties if left unattended.

General J.J. Singh examines the evolution of the boundary and the nuances of
British India's Tibet policy from the eighteenth century through to India's
Independence, analyses the repercussions for contemporary times and puts forth
recommendations for the way ahead.