Weaponised restraint: How China exploited border agreements while India upheld the rules

6 months ago

NEW DELHI: On 15 June 2020, Indian and Chinese troops engaged in a violent face off in Galwan Valley across the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Indian Army sources confirmed that 20 Indian soldiers were killed, the deadliest clash between the two nations in over four decades. The confrontation occurred during a de-escalation process following a standoff across several points in eastern Ladakh that began in May 2020.

While there was no exchange of gunfire, the combat involved hand-to-hand fighting and the use of improvised melee weapons such as stones, clubs, and nail-studded rods. Independent assessments, including US intelligence reports, suggested that China suffered around 35-45 casualties, although Beijing officially acknowledged only four deaths.

WHY NO SHOTS WERE FIRED

A key question after the clash was why firearms were not used. Agreements between India and China prohibit the us...

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