In foreign relations, the word is ambiguous. For example, in early 20th (late 19th?) century, the UK recognized the suzerainty of China over Tibet. It basical

In foreign relations, the word is ambiguous. For example, in early 20th (late 19th?) century, the UK recognized the suzerainty of China over Tibet. It basically meant “British India’s borders end at the Tibetan border, and we won’t do business with anyone in the Tibetan side of the border without running it by the Chinese first.” Then in the early 21st Century the UK recognized the sovereignty of China over Tibet in exchange for Chinese money to some international orgs. But all that happened was the British position became more precise. It’s a compromise word to recognize the reality in the ground, while kicking diplomatic issues down the road. Parts of the modern day Indian/China border are referred to as the “line of actual control.”