Thread by @AndrewSErickson

"20 Indian soldiers dead after clash w Chinese troops high in the Himalayas, Indian army says washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pac…
The conflict is the 1st deadly encounter between Indian & Chinese forces in 45 years & marks a severe escalation in tensions betw/ the 2 nuclear-armed neighbors."

"The deaths occurred in the mountainous region of #Ladakh where #India & #China share a disputed...#border. No Indian soldiers have been killed in clashes on the frontier between the 2 countries since 1975, experts say, & no casualties of this magnitude have occurred since 1967."

"#India at first said that 3 #soldiers had died in a 'violent faceoff' that caused '#casualties on both sides.'

Later Tuesday, the #Indian #Army said in a statement that 17 more Indian #troops who were 'critically injured in the line of duty' had “succumbed to their injuries.'"

"Most of lengthy frontier between #India & #China is neither marked in real life nor delineated on any maps shared by the 2 countries.

Instead, the #Indian & #Chinese armies send patrols up to what they claim is the #LineofActualControl & then retreat."

washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pac…

"What occurred last month is qualitatively different, analysts say. Instead of expanding patrol arcs deeper into Indian-claimed areas as they have done in the past, Chinese troops have 'taken physical possession by occupying territory,' said Ashley Tellis @CarnegieEndow

#Ladakh

"Chinese troops have crossed several km into territory that India claims @ several different points in #Ladakh...have occupied an area in the #Galwan River valley that overlooks a strategically crucial road for India. Monday night’s deadly clashes took place in the #GalwanValley"

"The last standoff between the 2 countries occurred in 2017, when China began extending a road near a spot where India, China & Bhutan meet. Several 100 Indian troops blocked the construction of the road. 2 mo.s later, after talks between the 2 countries, the soldiers retreated."

"Unlike that flare-up, there is no immediate local trigger for the current conflict, said D.S. Hooda, a retired general who previously commanded the Indian army forces in Kashmir. While India is building a road in the area, it has been under construction for a decade, Hooda said"

"clash comes @ time when China is flexing its muscles across the region amid a global pandemic..confronted Malay & Viet vessels in the SCS & 2X sailed an aircraft carrier through TW Strait. China also unilaterally moved to seize new powers over #HongKong." andrewerickson.com/2020/05/the-ho…