India-China Relations & LAC — Set 6

Correct Answer: C. 2003

The Special Representatives mechanism was established in 2003 during PM Vajpayee's visit to China. Under this mechanism, senior officials (typically National Security Advisors) from both sides meet to discuss the boundary question. As of 2023, over 22 rounds of Special Representatives talks have been held.

Correct Answer: B. 2012

The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs was established in 2012 to address border incidents more swiftly. It functions below the level of Special Representatives. The WMCC played an important role during the 2020 Ladakh standoff negotiations.

Correct Answer: B. 2020 Chinese intrusions in Ladakh

Operation Snow Leopard was India's military response to Chinese intrusions in Ladakh in 2020. Indian forces preemptively captured strategic heights on the south bank of Pangong Tso (Kailash Range) in late August 2020. This bold move gave India tactical advantage and helped bring China to the negotiating table for disengagement.

Correct Answer: B. Shyok River

The Galwan River originates in China-controlled territory and flows westward, joining the Shyok River in India. The Galwan Valley is named after Ghulam Rassul Galwan, a Ladakhi explorer. The river valley is strategically important as it leads to the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) airstrip, India's highest altitude airstrip.

Correct Answer: B. It is India's highest altitude airstrip near the Karakoram Pass

Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) is India's highest altitude airstrip, located at approximately 16,614 feet near the Karakoram Pass in Ladakh. It provides critical logistical support for India's northernmost posts. China's road construction near Galwan threatened to sever India's access to DBO, which was a key trigger for the 2020 standoff.

Correct Answer: B. 1963 Sino-Pakistan Boundary Agreement

Pakistan ceded the Shaksgam Valley (Trans-Karakoram Tract, approximately 5,300 sq km) to China under the 1963 Sino-Pakistan Boundary Agreement. India does not recognize this cession as it claims all of Jammu and Kashmir including PoK. The Shaksgam Valley is strategically located north of the Siachen Glacier.

Correct Answer: B. Darbuk to Daulat Beg Oldie via Shyok

The DSDBO (Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie) road was completed in 2019 and provides India year-round strategic access to the DBO airstrip near Karakoram Pass. China's attempt to dominate the Galwan Valley was seen as threatening this road. The DSDBO road took decades to build due to technical and logistical challenges.

Correct Answer: B. Australia

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) consists of India, USA, Japan, and Australia. It promotes a 'free and open Indo-Pacific' — a concept that counters China's assertive territorial claims. China views the Quad as an Asian NATO aimed at containing it, while India emphasizes Quad is not anti-China but pro-rule-based order.

Correct Answer: B. It is the source of major Asian rivers including Indus, Brahmaputra, Yangtze, Mekong

The Tibetan Plateau is the source of major Asian rivers including the Indus, Brahmaputra, Yangtze, Yellow River, Mekong, Salween, and Irrawaddy. Control over Tibet gives China strategic leverage over water supply for billions across South and Southeast Asia. This is one reason India views Chinese control of Tibet with strategic concern.

Correct Answer: B. The Siliguri Corridor connecting Northeast India to rest of India

The 'Chicken's Neck' or Siliguri Corridor is a narrow strip of land approximately 22 km wide connecting India's northeastern states to the rest of the country. It is bordered by Nepal to the north, Bangladesh to the south, and Bhutan to the northeast. Chinese control of Doklam plateau would threaten this corridor.