United Nations Security Council, Nathu La and Cho La Crisis, 1967 CE

Double Delegation, Advanced Committee

 
 

It is October 1967, and the UNSC must now deal with the aftermath of the Nathu La and Cho La clashes. Two border skirmishes between India and China have occurred at the mountain passes of Nathu La and Cho La on the Sikkim-Tibet border, with about 100 deaths on each side. India and China both hoped to control land in the un-demarcated border area overlooking the Chumbi Valley. The clashes had been brewing for a number of years, with many smaller skirmishes building up to a Chinese ultimatum that India vacate the Nathu La pass, which was refused. Chinese troops began by digging a trench on the Sikkimese side, controlled by India. India then responded by laying down barbed wire on their perceived boundary. Tensions continued escalating until machine gun and artillery fire began from both sides on the morning of September 11, 1967, lasting until September 14. The Indian troops were able to beat back the Chinese, claiming an advantageous position in the Nathu La pass and destroying many Chinese bunkers. On October 1, 1967, a similar clash took place in the Cho La pass, where both sides asserted an infiltration of their territory by opposing troops. This resulted in the Chinese troops retreating a few kilometers, boosting Indian morale. The UNSC faces a pressing issue. Any further escalation of the border clashes could be catastrophic for the region and the rest of the world, as both India and China are regional superpowers and burgeoning global powers. How will this committee handle the increased confidence of India’s military and China’s pressing territorial ambition? With the backdrop of the Cold War, do the Nathu La and Cho La border clashes represent a proxy war between the US and USSR? With the whole world watching, the UNSC must balance the pulls of communism and capitalism and two irritable powers, shaping the future of Southeast Asia and the whole world in the process. 

 

Dear esteemed delegates,

Welcome to the United Nations Security Council, 1967!

My name is Christopher Shin, and I’m thrilled to be your director of action-packed chaos and fun for HMUN 2025! I am a sophomore at Harvard College, double concentrating in Chemical & Physical Biology and Government with a secondary in Music. I grew up in Cherry Hill, New Jersey–fifteen minutes out of Philly (go Birds and Phillies). My MUN era began in freshman year of high school after I flopped in my first-ever conference, falling in love with the inner workings of diplomacy, chaos, and MUN-friendships. Now here in college, I still hold onto the addicting passion of MUN by competing on Harvard’s Intercollegiate MUN team as a Training Director and a crisis/UNSC delegate. 

Yes, UNSC is weird. We will function as BOTH a double-del crisis and general assembly committee–chaos to the max. Yes, you will be challenged. From crisis teamwork to coming up with weird acronyms for your clauses, you will face obstacles unlike most other MUN committees. But also yes, you will have lots of fun. Together, we will learn about the intricacies of international relations in Asia and further translational implications, each other’s flaws and icks, and ultimately how to diplomatically solve (or escalate) historical conflicts. Whether you’ve competed in UNSC before or this is your first time dipping your toes into this odd committee, be prepared for an entirely unique experience. 

As your director, I’m so excited to see how you all will navigate the quirky challenges that your Crisis Director Daniel and I will bestow upon you (and trust me, we love throwing curveballs). We’re going to have a blast. 

Hang tight till February,

Christopher Shin

Director, United Nations Security Council, Nathu La and Cho La Crisis, 1967 CE

unsc@harvardmun.org

Harvard Model United Nations 2025

 
 

Esteemed members of the UNSC,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the United Nations Security Council of 1967  at the 72nd iteration of Harvard Model United Nations!

My name is Daniel Hochberg, and I will be your Crisis Director! I am a sophomore at the college originally hailing from Scarsdale, New York, pursuing a degree in either Economics or Mathematics. At Harvard, I compete for the Intercollegiate Model UN team and staff our collegiate and high school conferences. When not busy MUN-ing, I serve on the board of Harvard Club Squash and work hard to try and join the varsity team as a walk-on. I am also involved in Jewish life on campus, serving on the board of the Chabad house. 

Chaos and creativity are the hallmarks of MUN, especially in UNSC. All the problem-solving of a crisis, the social engineering of GA, and juiced up with double-del shenanigans. This committee will be no different. Each day of conflict, or committee, might feel reasonable. But when it's put together and the cards are all on the table, you won’t be able to recognize the world we created, and how we got there from a small border clash in South Asia. I hope you’re excited because I sure am.

As your CD, I’ll be like that family member you only see when its time to fight for Grandma’s inheritance. But your director, Chris, and I will make sure that you never forget about what is going on in the shadows.

I’ll see you soon,

Daniel Hochberg

Crisis Director, United Nations Security Council, Nathu La and Cho La Crisis, 1967 CE

unsc@harvardmun.org

Harvard Model United Nations 2025