Why has China suddenly decided to station troops in the disputed Ladakh / Aksai Chin region?

Question

The northeastern part of India known as Ladakh in India and Aksai Chin in China is a disputed territory between India and China. There is no international border between India and China in that region, but there is a line called Line of Actual Control (LAC). The LAC was established when India lost the 1962 war against China.

Since 1962, occasional trespassing, transgression, and skirmishes have been going on between India and China. But, since the last few weeks, the situation is suddenly escalated. For instance, for the last 48 hours Chinese soldiers are 5 km inside territory claimed by India in the Ladakh region beside a lake. They have stationed 5000 soldiers, tents, weapons, and ammunition there.

• "Chineses soldiers are inside India"
• "Chinese People’s Liberation Army brought in a Regiment commanded by a Senior Colonel having a strength of around 5,000 soldiers."

Why is this sudden escalation taking place?

Answer 1

This is hardly "coming out of nowhere"! There have been ongoing disputes between China and India since 1948, (and probably since 1948 BC!)

There are several claim lines between China and India, and a vaguely defined "Line of Actual Control" (which as the name suggests can move as each side controls different sections of land.)

The region is mountainous and harsh. It is difficult to patrol at any time, but particularly in Winter. So in the spring of each year, both sides build up troops and attempt to enforce their own idea of "the Line of Actual Control". A troop build-up in spring is nothing new.

The extra factors in the mix this year are the COVID-19 crisis (and the implications of who is responsible for the health of people in the region) and the building of a road close to the Galwan river by India. Moreover the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir will have increased Chinese concern about the region.

So "why are there Chinese troops in India":

1. China doesn't consider them to be in India.
2. This happens on some scale each year.
3. Tensions are raised due to
   • Re-organisation in Jammu and Kashmir
   • Road building
   • COVID

Answer 2

Sudden isn't it? No!

Actually, China is irked by the statement of Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh that they will take away Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (flag 3). Modi proved his guts by taking away Jammu & Kashmir (flag 1) with just a stroke of a pen, and then there was Balakot air strike (flag 2) and finally, constructing roadways near Chinese boarder (flag 4)

China by then knew that the Govt. of India will take away Pakistan-occupied Kashmire(PoK) and their mega project will succumb, or India will negotiate everything they can in order for Chinese to save their heavy investment in PoK region along with Baluchistan looting of resources which passes through PoK by roadways to China.

Why India is still lenient towards China?

Because, Modi doesn't want China to smell the final move of the game. But, to Modi's misfortune China did sense it bit early and COVID-19 is helping China to dominate over the Galwan issue with economic doldrums in India. This type of Galwan confrontation is more to come yet. In future, when Modi tries to take away PoK, Chinese troops will cross the Line of Actual Control and will confront with Indian boarder forces. So, India will be forced to divert their armed forces at Eastern boarders.