[ANALYSIS] India-China tensions rise again as the sides play the blame game

OVERVIEW: Military tensions between the two nuclear powers have been simmering again with the sides pointing the finger at each other over illegal crossings of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and warning shots fired near the south bank of Panging Tso Lake on Monday.

CONTRADICTING REPORTS: China has accused India of firing warnings shots after crossing the LAC in the Himalayan border, calling it a provocation that will escalate tensions – with Global Times Editor nothing that “If the two sides engage in military showdown, Indian troops will suffer a more disastrous defeat than in 1962”, referring to the war between the two sides over a strategically important border area. However, Indian Government sources noted that no shots were fired from their side, with the army noting "PLA troops fired a few rounds in the air in an attempt to intimidate” troops. Furthermore, the Indian Ministry has alerted China of allegations that five men were abducted by the PLA from an area near the disputed border.

FEAR OF STANDOFF: Indian defence minister Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wei met on the side-lines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation defence ministers’ meeting in Moscow on Friday, in which Wei said the two sides should work to “maintain peace and tranquillity”, whilst Singh pointed to China’s “aggressive behavior” and “changing the status quo” alongside the LAC. Analysts fear another repeat of the bloody standoff in June which resulted in the death of 20 Indian troops in Ladakh, whilst China refused to release the number of casualties.

08 Sep 2020 - 09:33- Geopolitical- Source: Newsquawk