The New Indian’s Editor-in-Chief, Aarti Tikoo, speaks with Shiv Kunal Verma, a renowned military historian, strategist, author, and filmmaker. In this exclusive interview with Editor-in-Chief Aarti Tikoo, Verma delves deep into the Indo-China border dispute, sharing his expert insights and historical perspective. Verma discusses the ongoing standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, which has been unresolved since 2020. He offers a historical context based on his extensive research and writings, including his exhaustive book on the 1962 Indo-China War, “1962: The War That Wasn’t.” Verma highlights how the border has never been clearly delineated, leading to recurring skirmishes in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. He explains China’s strategic intentions behind controlling areas like Bomdi La and how NEFA was used as a bargaining chip for Aksai Chin. Verma elaborates on why Aksai Chin is of vital strategic importance to China, both historically and in contemporary times. He provides a detailed account of China’s systematic approach to securing this region. CIA Involvement: Verma reveals lesser-known historical facts, such as the CIA’s role in the Dalai Lama’s escape from Tibet and how the Tibetan resistance was supported. The discussion covers India’s geopolitical stance post-independence, including the implications of China’s annexation of Tibet and the subsequent shifts in regional dynamics.