The Border as a Speech Act: Securitization of the Sino-Indian Frontier in Contemporary Discourse
Author : Beenapani Rout
Abstract :
This paper examines the securitization of the Sino-Indian border through the lens of speech act theory, analyzing how language and discourse transform geographical boundaries into existential security issues. Utilizing the Copenhagen School's securitization framework, this research investigates how political elites, media narratives, and academic discourses have constructed the Sino-Indian frontier as a security concern requiring exceptional measures. Through discourse analysis of official statements, media coverage, and policy documents from 2017-2023, the study identifies key securitizing moves that frame border issues as threats to national identity, territorial sovereignty, and regional stability. The findings reveal that securitization processes have intensified following the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, with distinct patterns in Indian and Chinese securitizing narratives. This research contributes to understanding how borders become securitized through discursive practices and how these constructions influence bilateral relations and regional security dynamics in South Asia.
Keywords :
Securitization theory, Sino-Indian relations, border disputes, speech acts, security discourse, Copenhagen School.
