India-China | Escalate, Deescalate, Escalate

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The Indian Army has notified that 20 of its personnel, including a Colonel-rank officer, were killed by Chinese soldiers along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) in a "violent face-off" in which the Chinese side also faced heavy casualties, though no bullet was fired.


  • The escalation, as The Indian Army said, happened as a result of an attempt by the Chinese part to "unilaterally change the status quo" along the LAC in Galwan Valley of Ladakh. The massive toll - biggest since border clash of 1967 at the Indo-china border at Sikkim and the first combat casualties since 1975 - arising out of this violence, officials notified, strikes at the heart pf every bilateral agreement and understanding to maintain tranquility and peace along the indo-china border since 1993. 
  • what happened precisely remains unclear. The Chinese govt didn't comment on casualties for any side, only confirming that a clash took place after the Indian soldiers crossed into the area it considers to be under Chinese control. However, India is of the view that the Chinese crossed the LAC to violate its sovereignty.
  • Its the latest flashpoint in a long history of border troubles between the two countries that include the war in 1962 and a standoff near Bhutan in 2017. The newest tension along the 2,167 miles (3,488 km) un-demarcated border came at a time of growing Chinese assertiveness in matters of sovereignty and as India grapples with a worsening COVID-19 outbreak and an economy in crisis.
  • Over the past week, many Indian media outlets have been broadcasting that troops from both sides had been gradually moving back from their stand-off positions and that efforts were underway to de-escalate the tensions. This is something which the Indian govt too had been insisting on. So it comes as a surprise to many to hear a violent clash in which no less than 20 Indian soldiers were killed.
  • At the moment the 2 sides seem to be showing restraint - though it's not clear if they are exercising it. "given its responsible approach to border management, India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the LAC. We expect the same of the Chinese side," India's MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) said in a statement. Meanwhile, Beijing urged India to "Strictly restrain its frontline troops from crossing the border or taking any unilateral action that may complicate the border situation."

The last time two sides exchanges any gunfire along the border was 1975. When four Indian soldiers were killed in a remote pass in the north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. This time, no gunfire was exchanged and yet many lives have been lost. The situation on the border is now poised on a dagger's edge. When soldiers die, their brothers want revenge.

Author
Jay Kumar Hotani

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