List of disputed territories of India

Republic of China territorial claims

Throughout the Cold War, the government of Taiwan had the same understanding on the China-India border dispute as the People's Republic of China (PRC).[2] In 1962, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they did not recognise the legality of McMahon Line. The same year western countries increased pressure on the then Taiwan leader, Chiang Kai-shek, to recognise the legality of McMahon Line in order to isolate Beijing.[2] However, Chiang dismissed McMahon Line as 'imperialist imposition on China'. In February 1987, India's move to elevate the status of 'Arunachal centrally administered region' to the state of Arunachal Pradesh was declared null and void by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[2] The Ministry, in a formal statement, stated that it did not recognise 'illegal occupation' of ROC territory south of McMahon Line and the establishment of 'Arunachal Pradesh state' was an illegal act. In 1995, Ambassador Pei-yin Teng (Taiwan's first representative to India) in response to Indian member of the parliament, stated that Taiwan did not recognise McMahon Line.[2] However, Pei-yin Teng was the last Taiwanese official who made a statement against the McMahon Line. Since, then Taiwan has not made any statement on China-India dispute and has adopted a neutral stance on the dispute.[2]

The Depsang Plains are located on the border of the Indian union territory of Ladakh and the disputed zone of Aksai Chin. The Chinese Army occupied most of the plains during its 1962 war with India,[3] while India controls the western portion of the plains.[4] The dispute remains unresolved.[5]

Arunachal Pradesh is a state of India created on 20 January 1972, located in the far northeast. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, and shares international borders with Burma in the east, Bhutan in the west, and the China in the north. The majority of the territory is claimed by China as part of South Tibet. The northern border of Arunachal Pradesh reflects the McMahon Line, a 1914 treaty between the United Kingdom and the Tibetan government which was never accepted by the Chinese government, was also considered invalid by Tibetans due to unmet condition specified in the treaty,[6] and not broadly enforced by the Indian government until 1950. This territory is administered by India.[7][8]

Kashmir is a disputed region between Pakistan and India.

Major areas of dispute between India and Nepal are Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, Susta, Mechi, and Tanakpur.[9] An estimated 60,000 hectares of border land is currently disputed between India and Nepal.[10]

Although claimed by Nepal, Kalapani has been administered by Indian army since the 1962 border war with China.[9] The 1816 Treaty of Sugauli signed by Kingdom of Nepal and British India in 1816 utilizes the Kali River as Nepal's western boundary with India. However, lack of consensus on what is the precise location of the river Kali has resulted in dispute over whether the land consisting Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh is part of India or Nepal.[11] Some scholars suggest that the lack of consensus is because of British cartographers who kept on shifting the line demarcating the river eastwards for strategic reasons. However, there are also some scholars who believe that lack of consensus is due to the shift in the course of the river over time.[11]

In November 2019, India issued a new political map of India which showed Kalapani as part of India. The new political map of India was rejected by Nepal. Mass protest against India took place across Nepal and outside Indian embassy in Nepal. Protesters accused India of occupying their land.[12] In May 2020, Indian Defence minister, Rajnath Singh inaugurated a 80-km road from Dharchula to Lipulekh pass. Nepal protested against the construction of road in Lipulekh area.[13] Lipulekh area is currently under India's control. However, government of Nepal states that the Lipulekh area belongs to Nepal. On 20 May 2020, Nepal launched its own map showing Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh as parts of its own territory.[14] The new map was subsequently approved by the Nepali parliament on 18 June 2020. India opposed the move, claiming that the decision to include Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani is not based on evidence or historical facts.[15]

On 15 June 2020, Indian border police, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) reported that border pillars which served as demarcation, were missing along the India-Nepal border. SSB also reported that Nepali border police has established five new border outpost near the disputed area.[16] On 19 June, Nepal started deploying its troops near the Kalapani and other disputed areas. The troops had established camps and they were working on building a helipad in the area.[17] In the same month Nepali Army Chief, General Purna Chandra Thapa, after visiting Kalapani border area, stated that Nepali army will start building army barracks and border outposts near the Kalapani area.[18] On 21 June, Indian media reported that radio stations in Nepal were conducting a propaganda campaign against India by playing anti-India songs.[19]

Susta is another territory which is disputed between Nepal and India. It currently controlled by India and is a part of Bihar province. Residents of a village in Susta state that Susta belongs to Nepal and they are Nepali citizens.[20] The 1816 Treaty of Sugauli defined Gandaki river as the international boundary between India and Nepal. The right bank of Gandaki river was under Nepal’s control while the left bank was under India's control. Susta village was initially on the right bank when the treaty was signed and it was a part of Nepal. However, over the years, the Gandaki river changed its course and Susta moved to the left bank and is now currently under India's control.[20] Government of Nepal has repeatedly stated that Susta belongs to Nepal and Indian government should return the area.