The Los Angeles Times reports on the latest cause of tension between India and China:
In the latest chapter of a simmering spat with China involving border disputes, long-standing mistrust and domestic electoral politics, India’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday called on Beijing to halt work on all projects in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir.
The demand followed an announcement Tuesday by the leaders of China and Pakistan that their nations would upgrade a cross-border highway and that China would lend full support to a hydroelectric venture. Both projects are in the Pakistani-controlled portion of Kashmir, which India claims.
India and China have eyed each other warily since at least 1962, when they fought a monthlong border war that the Chinese in effect won. China has long been allied with Pakistan, which in turn has fought three major wars with India over the last six decades.
The latest Indian salvo at Beijing followed a protest Tuesday by China after India’s prime minister visited the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, portions of which Beijing claims, and allegations that Chinese troops fired into India and crossed the border, leaving “China” painted in red ink on rock faces.
