This archive report was first published on 16 June 2020.
June 16, 2020, marked a significant escalation in tensions between India and China along their 3,500-kilometre (2,200-mile) border, which has never been properly demarcated.
According to Indian authorities, a violent face-off took place in the Galwan Valley, resulting in the deaths of an Indian officer and two soldiers. The incident occurred despite a recent agreement between the two nations to boost border communications between their militaries.
"A violent face-off took place yesterday (Monday) night with casualties on both sides. The loss of lives on the Indian side includes an officer and two soldiers," an Indian army spokesman said in a statement.
However, Beijing swiftly laid the blame squarely on India for the incident, with Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian stating that Indian troops "crossed the border line twice... provoking and attacking Chinese personnel, resulting in serious physical confrontation between border forces on the two sides."
Thousands of troops from the two nuclear-armed neighbours have been involved in the latest face-off since May, with a previous clash on May 9 resulting in injuries to several Indian and Chinese soldiers.
