The Border skirmish refers to a short and sometimes violent clash between armed troops from different countries. Such confrontations can be triggered by territorial disputes or other political tensions. They can lead to full-blown war if not resolved peacefully.
China and India frequently engage in such skirmishes, as they disagree on the exact locations of their disputed border, called the Line of Actual Control. The two nations are also competing to build infrastructure on the border.
Both sides have been increasing their forces near the disputed region. Several major clashes have occurred in the last few years. The latest skirmish happened in May 2020. The confrontations are occurring near the disputed Pangong Tso lake and the border between Sikkim and Tibet.
A clash between India and China could have serious national security implications. The United States is already concerned about the rise of China as a unipolar superpower. It views China as a near-peer competitor, and it supports efforts to reduce regional tensions.
The border skirmishes with China may be a sign that these concerns are deepening.
The conflict between India and China is a reminder of how fragile the situation in the Asia-Pacific region can be. The conflict in the region is driven by China’s ambitions to become a global power and its desire to control the Indian Ocean, including the disputed waters around the island of Sri Lanka. The situation is further complicated by North Korea’s provocative behavior.
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