India-China Border Standoff: How Did The Current Border Dispute Escalate?

A violent face-off that took place on Monday lead to the martyrdom of two Indian soldiers and an officer. Here's a timeline of major events in the ongoing India-China standoff in Ladakh.

New Delhi: Despite the recent rounds of talks and agreement on de-escalation of tensions at the Indo-China border in Ladakh, a violent face-off took place on Monday leading to the martyrdom of two Indian soldiers and an officer. According to reports, there have been reports of aggression between Indian and Chinese Armies along the Line Of Actual Control (LAC). The incident in Galwan Valley comes amid the ongoing diplomatic and military level talks between the two countries over the border dispute. Army has also clarified that the face-off did not involve firing from any side.

"During the de-escalation process in Galwan Valley, a violent face-off took place last night with casualties. The loss of lives on the Indian side includes an officer and two soldiers. Senior military officials of the two sides are currently meeting at the venue to defuse the situation," Army said in a statement.

The dispute between the two countries has been going on for the past two months. One of the main triggers for current skirmishes is the Chinese disapproval of India laying a key road in the crucial ‘Finger area’ around the Pangong Tso Lake most of which lies in Ladakh. Another road construction connecting the Darbuk-Shayok-Daulat Beg Oldie road in Galwan Valley is also at the centre of the disputes.



In 2017, Indian and Chinese troops had engaged in a 74-day standoff in Doklam on the Sikkim border April.

Here is a brief timeline of major events in the recent Indo-China dispute

May first week: The Indian and Chinese troops have a face-off on May 5 in Eastern Ladakh (Pangong Tso) and on May 9 at Naku La in North Sikkim.  According to media reports, the Chinese troops are supposed to have crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in this area. On May 6, the troops clashed again in the Pangong Tso area.

May 23- The Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravanevisits the headquarters of the 14 Corps based in Leh in the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh.

May 24- During the intervening weeks, there are reports of build-up on the Chinese side Pangong Tso and Galwan Valley. According to a report satellite images showed that the Chinese military has pitched around 80 tents near the valley,

June 3- There are reports that the Chinese army pulling back from one of the standoff points in Galwan valley.

June 6- Military-level meeting was held to resolve the stand-off between the two Asian nations. The Indian delegation was led by Lieutenant General Harinder Singh, the general officer commanding of Leh-based 14 Corps. While the Chinese Army was headed by Major General Liu Lin, who is the commander of South Xinjiang Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

June 8- After the talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that both the countries have agreed not to turn their differences into disputes and maintain close communication on resolving the issue through diplomatic and military channels.

June 9- Media reports said that after the diplomatic talks both countries decided to pull their armies back at three disputed locations. China's People’s Liberation Army moved back its troops and infantry combat vehicles by 2.5 km from the Galwan valley, PP-15, and Hot Springs in Eastern Ladakh. In solidarity of disengagement over border tensions, Indian side too pulled back some of its troops and vehicles in these areas

June 13- The Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane has said that the situation in Indo- china border is under control. He also said that that there has been a series of talks with Corps Commander regarding the situation

June 15- An officer of the Indian Army and two soldiers martyred in reported aggression between Indian and Chinese Armies along the Line Of Actual Control (LAC).