JovitaMcClinton at 03:27, 13 January 2026

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{{Short description|India-China border security and stability agreement}}
{{Infobox treaty|name=Border Defence Cooperation Agreement|long_name=Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the People's Republic of China on Border Defence Cooperation|type=Border management<br />
Confidence Building Measure<ref name=":0" />
|context=*[[Sino-Indian border dispute|India China boundary question]]
*India-China Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity|date_signed=23 October 2013|parties=*{{flagicon|China}} [[China]]
*{{flagicon|India}} [[India]]|location_signed=[[Great Hall of the People]], Tiananmen Square, Beijing<ref>{{Cite news|last=Blanchard|first=Ben|date=2013-10-23|title=China, India sign deal aimed at soothing border tension|language=en|work=Reuters|editor-last=Macfie|editor-first=Nick|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/china-india-border-agreement-idINDEE99M02U20131023|access-date=2021-07-08}}</ref>|languages=* [[Chinese language|Chinese]]
* [[English language|English]]
* [[Hindi language|Hindi]]|condition_effective=[[Ratification]] by China and India|citations=[https://mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/22366/Agreement_between_the_Government_of_the_Republic_of_India_and_the_Government_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China_on_Border_Defence_Cooperation Agreement]|image=R.K. Mathur and the Deputy Chief of General Staff, PLA of China, Lt. Gen. Sun Jianguo signing an Agreement on Border Defence Cooperation, in the presence of the Prime Minister.jpg|caption=The Indian Defence Secretary, [[R. K. Mathur]] and the PLA Deputy Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. [[Sun Jianguo]] signing the Agreement in Beijing on 23 October 2013. Premier [[Li Keqiang]] and Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] present.|wikisource=India-China Border Agreement 2013}}
'''The Agreement between India and China on Border Defence Cooperation''' (BDCA) covers border stability and security, information asymmetry, smuggling, socio-economic reconstruction, environment and disease transmission along the [[Line of Actual Control|line of actual control]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Das|first=Bijoy|date=January–March 2014|title=Border Defence Cooperation Agreement. The Icebreaker in Making?|url=https://idsa.in/system/files/8_1_2014_BorderDefenceCooperationAgreement.pdf|journal=Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses|volume=1|issue=1|pages=35–48}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Inter-State Border Defence Cooperation Agreement between India and China|url=https://www.peaceagreements.org/view/792/Inter-State%20Border%20Defence%20Cooperation%20Agreement%20between%20India%20and%20China|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-02|website=PA-X: Peace Agreements Database|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183244/https://www.peaceagreements.org/view/792/Inter-State%20Border%20Defence%20Cooperation%20Agreement%20between%20India%20and%20China|archive-date=2021-07-09}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |agency=Press Information Bureau|date=2014-03-14|title=Ten things you should know about India, China border defence agreement|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/read-ten-things-you-should-know-about-india-china-border-defence-agreement/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-02|newspaper=The Indian Express|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140612191557/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/read-ten-things-you-should-know-about-india-china-border-defence-agreement/|archive-date=2014-06-12}}</ref> It is an incremental addition to the previous border agreements related to the [[Sino-Indian border dispute]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shukla|first=Ajai|author-link=Ajai Shukla|date=2013-10-24|title=India, China sign border defence pact|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/india-china-sign-border-defence-pact-113102400027_1.html|access-date=2021-07-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Chellaney|first=Brahma|author-link=Brahma Chellaney|date=2013-10-21|title=Why India's new border pact with China won't work|url=https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/VbRYHcM2kc4arWI6aVeHsK/Dancing-in-the-dragons-jaws.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-02|website=mint|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022101109/http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/VbRYHcM2kc4arWI6aVeHsK/Dancing-in-the-dragons-jaws.html|archive-date=2013-10-22}}</ref>

BDCA is one of the growing number of defence cooperation agreements being signed between countries worldwide.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kinne|first=Brandon J.|date=15 August 2018|title=Defense Cooperation Agreements and the Emergence of a Global Security Network|journal=International Organization|language=en|volume=72|issue=4|pages=799–837|doi=10.1017/S0020818318000218|s2cid=158722872 |issn=0020-8183|doi-access=free}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=August 2022|reason=The BDCA is not mentioned in the source.}}

== Background ==
{{Further|2013 Depsang standoff}}
China proposed the BDCA as early as the 5th India-China annual defence dialogue (ADD) in January 2013.{{sfnp|Resilient Sino-Indian Relationship, Indian Foreign Affairs Journal|2013|loc=pg. 389}} The following months saw negotiations and counter-proposals by India.{{sfnp|Resilient Sino-Indian Relationship, Indian Foreign Affairs Journal|2013|loc=pg. 389}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=12 May 2013|title=India gives counter proposal for Border Defence Coop Agreement|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2013/sunday-edition/india-gives-counter-proposal-for-border-defence-coop-agreement.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-08|website=The Pioneer|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185406/https://www.dailypioneer.com/2013/sunday-edition/india-gives-counter-proposal-for-border-defence-coop-agreement.html|archive-date=2021-07-09}}</ref>

In April 2013, India reported a Chinese [[People's Liberation Army|PLA]] incursion at the mouth of [[Depsang Bulge]] near the [[Line of Actual Control]] in eastern Ladakh.<ref name="Sawant">{{citation|last=Sawant|first=Gaurav C.|title=India is No Pushover: Salman Khurshid|date=26 April 2013|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/neighbours/story/china-india-china-incursion-indo-china-border-160085-2013-04-25|newspaper=India Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430195341/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/china-india-china-incursion-indo-china-border/1/267744.html|access-date=7 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=30 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hashmi|first=Sana|date=29 October 2013|title=Border Defence Cooperation Agreement: A New Beginning?|url=http://capsindia.org/files/documents/CAPS_Infocus_SH3.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=7 July 2021|website=[[Centre for Air Power Studies (India)|Centre for Air Power Studies]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305012527/http://capsindia.org/files/documents/CAPS_Infocus_SH3.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2017}}</ref> This three week [[2013 Depsang standoff|face-off]] was one of the border incidents that took place during the drafting of the agreement.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=23 October 2013|title=China-India reach border defence pact|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2013/10/23/china-india-reach-border-defence-pact|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-08|website=Al Jazeera|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031054102/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2013/10/23/china-india-reach-border-defence-pact/|archive-date=2020-10-31}}</ref> In July 2013, India also saw PLA movement into [[Chumar]] and transgressions in [[Barahoti]] and Dichu.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chellaney|first=Brahma|date=2013-07-30|title=China's game plan to keep India on the back foot|url=https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/RQ477pBeAEWGgsbmQ2FaCL/New-Delhi-and-Chinas-game-plan.html|access-date=2021-07-08|website=mint|language=en}}</ref>

In July 2013, the Indian Minister of Defence met his counterpart General [[Chang Wanquan]], as well as Chinese Prime Minister [[Li Keqiang]] and State Councilor [[Yang Jiechi]]. In a joint statement, with regard to "peace and tranquility in their border areas" both sides appreciated "that border defence cooperation would make a significant contribution in that regard" and "they agreed on an early conclusion of negotiations for a proposed agreement on border defence cooperation between the two Governments".<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 July 2013|title=Full Text of Joint Statement by Chinese and Indian Defence Ministers|url=http://in.china-embassy.org/eng/zygxc/wx/t1057145.htm|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-08|website=Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007215049/http://in.china-embassy.org/eng/zygxc/wx/t1057145.htm|archive-date=2013-10-07}}</ref>

The agreement was finalized at a meeting of the [[India-China Joint Working Group on the boundary question|Joint Working Group]] a few weeks before it was finally signed in Beijing in October 2013.{{sfnp|Resilient Sino-Indian Relationship, Indian Foreign Affairs Journal|2013|loc=pg. 389}}

=== Agreements ===
BDCA mentions the "India-China Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity" and four previous border agreements:

* [[Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement, 1993]]
* [[Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement, 1993#1996 agreement|Agreement on Confidence Building Measures, 1996]]
* [[Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement, 1993#2005 agreement|Protocol for the Implementation of Military Confidence Building Measures, 2005]]
* [[Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs|Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs, 2012]]

== Articles ==
BDCA has ten articles. The agreement outlines ways to implement border defence cooperation "on the basis of their respective laws and relevant bilateral agreements". This includes the exchange of information, joint smuggling efforts, assistance in locating trans-border movement, disease transmission or "any other way mutually agreed upon the two sides". The agreement goes on to elaborate on mechanisms for implementing this border defence cooperation including flag meeting, [[Border Personnel Meeting point|border personal meetings]], hotlines and meetings between representatives at various fora. This agreement goes a step further by saying that cooperation can be enhanced through CBMs such as cultural exchanges, "non-contact" sports, military exercises, and "small scale tactical exercises along the line of actual control in the India-China border areas." Military clauses cover tailing patrols, seeking clarification in areas of [[differing perceptions of the Line of Actual Control]] and practice [[Restraint (military)|military restraint]] in all ways. The agreement clearly stated that the agreement would be honoured irrespective of the alignment of the LAC. The agreement concludes in an ''elastic'' nature, "It may be revised, amended or terminated with the consent of the two sides. Any revision or amendment, mutually agreed by the two sides, shall form an integral part of this Agreement'.<ref>{{Cite book|last=|first=|url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/India-China_Border_Agreement_2013|title=Border Defence Cooperation Agreement between India and China|publisher=Governments of India and China|via=Wikisource}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Chandran|first=D Suba|date=27 October 2013|title=India & China: An Assessment of October 2013 Agreements: Border Defence Agreement|url=http://www.ipcs.org/comm_select.php?articleNo=4151|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-08|website=Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190925/http://www.ipcs.org/comm_select.php?articleNo=4151|archive-date=2021-07-09}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

== Aftermath ==
The BDCA was met with skepticism from a number of Indian analysts.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Chansoria|first=Monika|date=13 January 2014|title=India-China Border Agreement: Much Ado about Nothing|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2014/01/13/india-china-border-agreement-much-ado-about-nothing/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-08|website=Foreign Policy|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207120018/http://foreignpolicy.com/2014/01/13/india-china-border-agreement-much-ado-about-nothing/|archive-date=2014-12-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bhat|first=Lt Col Anil|date=2014-08-02|title=An Ambiguous Border Defence Cooperation Agreement With China?|url=https://salute.co.in/an-ambiguous-border-defence-cooperation-agreement-with-china-2/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-08|website=Salute|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230161437/http://www.salute.co.in/an-ambiguous-border-defence-cooperation-agreement-with-china-2/|archive-date=2016-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sawhney|first=Pravin|title=The BDC agreement is a win-win for China than India|url=https://forceindia.net/bottomline/smart-move/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-08|website=Force India|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529121336/http://forceindia.net/bottomline/smart-move/|archive-date=2018-05-29}}</ref> Monika Chansoria, head of the China-study program [[Centre for Land Warfare Studies]], called the agreement as a Beijing "engineered" with no clear progress or differentiation from previous agreements, adding that the main issue of resolving the border dispute was not part of the BDCA.<ref name=":1" /> Jayadeva Ranade pointed out that there was no reference to status quo, ambiguity in the way certain arguments were framed including lines related to infrastructure development.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ranade|first=Jayadeva|date=27 October 2013|title=India & China: An Assessment of October 2013 Agreements- No Tangibles|url=http://www.ipcs.org/comm_select.php?articleNo=4150|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-08|website=Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423170231/http://ipcs.org/comm_select.php?articleNo=4150|archive-date=2021-04-23}}</ref> However, D Suba Chandran, director at Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, stated "even the worst critique would not find faults with it [the agreement]".<ref name=":3" />

In a press conference on 24 October 2013, a day after BDCA was signed, [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China]] spokesperson [[Hua Chunying]] stated that "Over the past decades, with the concerted efforts of the two countries, negotiations on the boundary question have sustained a sound momentum and the border areas are basically peaceful and tranquil."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on October 24, 2013|url=https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/t1092672.shtml|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-08|website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924044829/http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/t1092672.shtml|archive-date=2015-09-24}}</ref>

During the [[2020–2021 China–India skirmishes|2020-21 China-India border skirmishes]] the BDCA and other border agreements failed in their purpose.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Joshi|first=Manoj|author-link=Manoj Joshi (journalist)|date=24 June 2020|title=There is an answer to Modi's enigma on Galwan|url=https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/there-is-an-answer-to-modis-enigma-on-galwan-68411/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-02|website=ORF|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626225443/https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/there-is-an-answer-to-modis-enigma-on-galwan-68411/|archive-date=2020-06-26}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Restraint (military)]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Cite journal|last=Das|first=Rup Narayan|date=2013|title=Resilient Sino-Indian Relationship: Assessing Prime Minister's 2013 Visit|journal=Indian Foreign Affairs Journal|volume=8|issue=4|pages=387–399|jstor=45341908 |issn=0973-3248|ref={{sfnref|Resilient Sino-Indian Relationship, Indian Foreign Affairs Journal|2013}}}}

{{China–India relations}}

[[Category:Sino-Indian border dispute]]
[[Category:October 2013 in China]]
[[Category:October 2013 in India]]
[[Category:2013 in Indian politics]]
[[Category:2013 in Beijing]]
[[Category:Treaties concluded in 2013]]
[[Category:Treaties of the People's Republic of China]]
[[Category:Treaties of India]]
[[Category:Tiananmen Square]]

Border Defence Cooperation Agreement - Revision history

JovitaMcClinton at 03:27, 13 January 2026