Sumdorong Chu

Sumdorong Chu, referred to as Sangduoluo He (Chinese: 桑多洛河) in the Chinese media,[1] is a tributary of the Nyamjang Chu river that flows along the disputed Sino-Indian border between the Cona County of Tibet and the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. It originates in the Tokpo Shiri Glacier, about 7–10 kilometres east of Nyamjang Chu, and flows down to the river.[2] Its junction with Nyamjang Chu is to the north of that of Namka Chu, another contested river valley, by about two kilometers.

Sumdorong Chu
Mouth of Sumdorong Chu in Nyamjang Chu
Sumdorong Chu (Arunachal Pradesh)
Location
CountryChina; India
RegionShannan, Tibet; Arunachal Pradesh
DistrictCona County; Tawang district
CityLai Menba Minzu Township; Zemithang Circle
Physical characteristics
SourceEastern Himalayas
  locationLai Menba Minzu Township
  coordinates27°47′44″N 91°49′18″E
  elevation4,600 m (15,100 ft)
MouthNyamjang Chu valley
  coordinates
27°48′00″N 91°44′42″E
  elevation
2,350 m (7,710 ft)
Basin features
ProgressionNyamjang Chu, Tawang Chu, Manas River
River systemBrahmaputra

The Sumdorong Chu valley was the site of a standoff between India and China in 1986–1987 which, despite giving rise to the fears of another war, got deescalated successfully. Subsequently, India and China formulated agreements for managing future border tensions.[3][4]

Location

Sumdorong Chu flows in a disputed border region between Tibet's Cona County and Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang district. The dispute arises due to differing interpretations of where the McMahon Line lies.

China adheres to the 1914 map of the McMahon Line, which shows the border as a straight line at 27°44'30" N latitude till the range of "Menlakathong La" (roughly the modern Bum La Pass).[5] India believes that the true border lies along the highest watershed line in the region, which is to the north of the Namka Chu and Sumdorong Chu streams.[6]

1987 standoff

Sumdorong Chu and vicinity

In 1986–87, a military standoff took in the Sumdorong Chu Valley. It was initiated by China moving a company of troops to Wangdung, a pasture to the south of Sumdorong Chu which India held to be part of its territory. The Indian troops stood their ground on the neighbouring Lungro la ridge and both the sides moved a large number of troops to the border. The crisis was diffused after the visit of Indian Foreign Minister to Beijing in May 1987.

See also

References

  1. "India-China Border Dispute". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  2. "Chinese troops in Kameng", The Hindustan Times, 17 July 1986, in China and South Asia (1987).
  3. V. Natarajan (12 October 2006). "The Sumdorong Chu Incident". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  4. Pardesi, Managing the Sumdorong Chu Crisis (2020).
  5. A. G. Noorani, Perseverance in peace process, Frontline, 29 August 2003.
  6. Bhuvan, Indian Geo-Platform of ISRO, search key: "Kenze Mane,ARUNACHAL PRADESH", retrieved 13 July 2020.

Bibliography

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