822 Chapter 6
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: Forty Chinese soldiers opened fire on a six-man Indian patrol near the
Sino-Indian border in the Arunachal Pradesh region, killing four of the Indian soldiers.
MID#2101
Dispute Number: 2101
Date(s): February 24, 1979 to March 16, 1979
Participants: 750 India/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: On February 17, 1979, China invaded Vietnam as punishment for their
aggression along the border and for ousting the Chinese backed prime minister of
Cambodia. At this time, the Indian External Affairs Minister was in China discussing
a potential agreement on border issues between India and China but then ended his
diplomatic visit a day early in protest the invasion. India’s parliament thought there
was a connection between the attack and the presence of the Indian foreign minister
and deemed it “an affront to India.” The Indian parliament unanimously condemned
the actions of China on February 20 and demanded that the foreign minister brand
China the aggressor. On February 22, Foreign Minister, Vajpayce, caved to parlia-
mentary sentiment and stated that China was guilty of aggression. Two days later all
border forces were put on alert.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from February 27, 1979. End Date changed
from February 27, 1979.
MID#2102
Dispute Number: 2102
Date(s): June 1986 to May 7, 1987
Participants: 750 India/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: On July 15, 1986, the Indian government protested a border violation by
at least 40 Chinese military personnel that they stated occurred in June. On August
6, the Indian government noted that it had received information that Chinese forces
had erected a helicopter pad with tents and huts in the Sumdorong Chu valley on the
border. China countered India’s claim with a border violation accusation of its own
against Indian forces. On December 8, India constituted Arunachal Pradesh as an
Indian state even though China claimed the area. Border escalations continued with a
total of 400,000 troops massed on both sides. However, the dispute fizzled as border
talks were renewed.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from December 1985. End Date changed from
June 4, 1987. Settlement changed from None. Fatalities changed from Missing.