WHAT WAS GALWAN VALLEY CLASH ?
Galwan Valley skirmish took place on the midnight of 15 June 2020 in which Indian army troops and People’s liberation army troops clashed for more than 6 hours. The fighting resulted in the loss of 20 Brave Indian soldiers of 16th Bihar regiment including it’s commanding officer, Colonel Santosh Babu alongside an approx 150 number of PLA personnel casualties. (not an official figure from China)
WHAT RESULTED IN THE STAND-OFF BETWEEN INDIA AND CHINA?
Irked by India’s rapid development of infrastructure projects along the LAC and other strategic locations, china sent hundreds of soldiers to support it’s frontline PLA soldiers. India too deployed soldiers and clarified that infrastructure projects will not be stopped. Which resulted in a further escalation of tensions between India and China.
DISENGAGEMENT PROCESS
The formal process of disengagement of troops began on 6 July, a day after a nearly 2-hour long telephonic conversation between National security advisor of India Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi on ways to bring down tension in areas.
After several rounds of talks between senior army officials of India and China. The Chinese soldiers pulled back from several friction points but India emphasized on rapid disengagement at patrolling point-17 (PP-17) and Pangong Tso finger but as of now China has not pulled back from these two friction points.
Also Read, Maintaining troops on LAC: What Does it Cost?
WHAT’S NEXT ?
With no sign of early resolution, India has started to prepare for long-haul India and has deployed more than 35000 troops who have served at high altitude regions including Siachen glacier. on the contrary, China has deployed soldiers who have been brought from mainland China because of that they are not adapted to serve at higher altitudes which gives India a tactical edge over China.
Indian air force and Indian navy has also been put on high level of preparedness and alert to counter any threat from neighboring countries.
