With the inauguration of the newly built “Sela Tunnel” in Arunachal Pradesh, India, China stated that India built this tunnel in its territory. However, the U.S. stated that Arunachal Pradesh was part of Indian territory. Real Research, an online survey app, revealed that 63.56% of the respondents were aware that the U.S. considered Arunachal Pradesh to be Indian territory.

Highlights:

  • 63.86% of the respondents believe India has authority over Arunachal Pradesh.
  • 57.92% agree that U.S. involvement in border disputes between China and India reflects efforts to align with India in its rivalry with China.
  • 54.50% of the respondents think if the currently tense situation escalates, then China and India could go to war soon.

Tensions Between India and China

China refers to the territory as Zangnan and claims Arunachal Pradesh is part of southern Tibet, while India rejects it. 63.86% of the respondents believe India has authority over this plot of land.

The-country-with-authority-over-Arunachal-Pradesh
Figure 1: The country with authority over Arunachal Pradesh, according to respondents

India-China Border Conflict

Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, stated that the U.S. interfering border disputes between China and India is a “reflection of consistent U.S. efforts to fully align itself with India in its competition with China.’’ He further stated that the U.S. doesn’t interfere in other border disputes.

A survey on U.S. interfering border disputes between China and India revealed that 57.92% of the respondents completely agreed with Kugelman’s statement.

U.S. Interfering Border Disputes Between China and India

54.5% of the respondents think if the current tense situation escalates, then China and India could go to war soon.

Whether-China-and-India-might-go-to-war
Figure 2: Whether China and India might go to war if the current situation escalates

Moreover, in recent times, border disputes have escalated to a fully-fledged war. For instance, the Israel-Palestine war and the Russian-Ukrainian war. A survey on U.S. interfering border disputes between China and India revealed that 41.34% of respondents believe that for a territorial dispute to be settled, there is a need for negotiations.

World War 3: U.S. Interfering Border Disputes between China and India

China, India, Russia, and the U.S. are among the superpowers in the world. India and the U.S. have bilateral relations, while China and Russia are allies. Hence, if the U.S. comes to India’s defense, Russia might lend a hand to China. 46.78% of the respondents think it is too early to decide if this situation could lead to World War 3.

World-War-3
Figure 3: Whether this situation might lead to World War 3

Methodology

Survey TitleSurvey on U.S. Interfering Border Disputes Between China and India
DurationMarch 27 – April 6, 2024
Number of Participants5,000
DemographicsMales and females, aged 21 to 99
Participating Countries Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia,… Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, China (Hong Kong) China (Macao), China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greanada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Maluritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar [Burma], Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.