This 1962 map issued by China to non-aligned states helps understand what’s going on the Galwan river Valley. Look north of Pangong: China’s claim is that the whole of the valley falls on its side of the LAC

China’s claim is based on its crushing of Indian posts in Galwan—the little blue dots you see—in the 1062 war. I’ve written about that battle here: https://www.firstpost.com/india/as-xi-jinping-escalates-border-crisis-to-divert-attention-from-chinas-economic-woes-india-should-steer-clear-of-missteps-in-1962-at-galwan-post-8395311.html

The Chinese position on Galwan is, obviously, not acceptable to India. And India has built a road allowing to more effective assert its claims on Galwan

These kinds of clashes are inexorable outcomes of the fact that both sides don’t agree where the LAC actually is—unlike the LoC, which was carefully demarcated by surveyors.

This bumping and shoving has escalated as both sides have, dynamically, enhanced their posture on the LAC from pretty much 2008 on. This may not lead to war—but no one should be sanguine that all future face-offs will have happy endings. I’ll have more on this on Monday!