A military stand-off between India and China on their disputed border in the Himalayas has escalated into a pernicious confrontation. These military superpowers have been debating for years over territory in the largely uninhabited, high-altitude region due to its strategic importance both economically and militarily. Along their 3,440 km shared border, the armies confronted each other face to face on multiple instances. However, in recent months, tensions have bubbled over as a result of the newly constructed road India built in Ladakh, along the Line of Actual Control which divides the sides. This triggered China who then deployed troops and built infrastructure of its own in disputed territory, bringing the two sides' forces in closer proximity and heightening the risk of a fatal duel. This has sparked an incident in Galwan Valley in Ladakh resulting in the death of at least 20 Indian soldiers as of Monday. . Chinese forces accused Indian troops of crossing the border twice, "provoking and attacking Chinese personnel". However, both sides insisted that no shots were fired although Indian officials gave accounts of fighting with bare hands, iron rods and stones. Despite the lack of any official confirmation, there are reports of Chinese casualties as well. Military officials from both countries later met to "defuse the situation", the Indian army said.
Writer: Siddhant Gupta
18/06/2020
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