Lines Drawn: US Senate Recognises McMahon Line As China-India Boundary, Affirms Arunachal Pradesh As Integral Part of India

The US Senate passed a resolution recognising the McMahon Line as the boundary between China and Arunachal Pradesh and affirming that Arunachal Pradesh is part of India, reported The Hindu.

Senators Bill Hagerty and Jeff Merkley introduced a resolution. It emphasised the importance of the United States joining forces with its strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly India.

This is crucial as China presents an increasingly growing threat to the region.

On Tuesday (14 March), a bipartisan resolution was introduced in the Senate, supporting the recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as part of India, condemning China's aggression along the Line of Actual Control.

It also aimed at strengthening the partnership between the US and India, as well as the Quad, to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.

This resolution confirms the United States' acknowledgement of the McMahon Line as the official boundary between China and the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

It followed the recent clash between India and China along the Line of Actual Control, the biggest in six years in the Eastern Sector.

The resolution opposes PRC's claim that Arunachal Pradesh is part of their territory and criticizes their aggressive expansionist policies.

Merkley emphasised the importance of prioritising America's values of freedom and rule-based order in all global relations, particularly in light of China's alternative vision.

“This resolution makes clear that the United States views the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of the Republic of India — not the People’s Republic of China — and commits the U.S. to deepening support and assistance to the region, alongside like-minded international partners and donors,” Merkley said.

The bipartisan resolution denounced China's aggressive actions, such as building villages in disputed areas, using military force to change the Line of Actual Control, publishing maps with Mandarin names for Indian cities, and expanding territorial claims in Bhutan.

India has been praised for its efforts to protect itself against security threats from China in the resolution.

The Government has taken measures such as securing the telecommunications infrastructure, scrutinizing procurement processes and supply chains, enforcing investment screening standards and increasing collaboration with Taiwan in areas like public health.

The resolution aims to enhance the US-India bilateral partnership across defence, technology, economics, and people-to-people ties.

It also emphasises promoting multilateral cooperation with India through various platforms like the Quad, the East Asia Summit, ASEAN, and other international fora.