A video that has surfaced on social media appears to show a brawl between Chinese and Indian soldiers at the disputed Himalayan border between the two world powers. Though CNN cannot independently verify the incident, it offers a glimpse into the ongoing tensions and underscores the need for the two sides to reduce tensions at the LAC.
The conflict highlights the volatility of a 3,440-kilometer (2,100-mile) long shared border that can be shaped by waterways, snowcaps and shifting de facto boundaries. The ill-defined border has spurred multiple clashes between the neighbors, who often accuse each other of overstepping their territory or trying to expand it. The incident also reveals how China regularly shapes competition to avoid areas that Beijing considers its own weak spots.
While experts agree the video is old, it illustrates the deep distrust between the two militaries. The incident also demonstrates how a dispute can quickly escalate over a flashpoint like the ancient temple perched on the frontier between Thailand and Cambodia. The conflict has reverberated in diplomatic circles, as Bangkok and Phnom Penh both have accused each other of violating international law with their response to the violence.
The incident involving the Galwan Valley area reveals a deeper issue, as both countries have signed an agreement prohibiting patrols from using their firepower at the border. That reflects China’s preference for extensive static defenses over active engagement – a legacy of decades of internal discord and mistrust in its military.