10,000 of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have entered and now lay claim to the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, India. The northern province, part of the widely disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir, has been the subject of Chinese encroachments since 1956.

In their most recent move, the PLA have crossed China’s own claim line, which Beijing have previously stated as the official border with India, and have no breached three to four kilometres into Indian territory. They are now in the process of digging trenches and defences to equip themselves in the event of an Indian counteroffensive.

China have systematically eroded Galwan’s status since 1956, followed by an official claim in 1960 and then military action during the 1962 war.

The Chinese reportedly made another intrusion on May 9 in northern Sikkim, across a settled Sikkim-Tibet border. Approximately 200 Chinese soldiers temporarily occupied Indian territory, but have now withdrawn to their own side, but maintained a close presence.

Although facts remain hazy, China have undoubtedly been stepping up territorial aggression in recent years, with the example of Taiwan and its attempts to subdue Hong Kong being widely publicised. India also appears to lack immunity to China, despite its comparable size, and to a lesser extent, its power. Indian responses have been slow and relatively useless, as they continue to lose territory and the respect of the aggressors. India is a nation of proud individuals, highly politicised and deeply divided. However, the one thing that unites the fractured nation is an affront to it from another, and it will defend itself. Whilst the world has been focused on China growing as a superpower, India too are just as powerful in a geopolitical context, and can be just as aggressive. While attempts at diplomacy have been made, India will likely shift their focus into the military sphere and face the threat head-on.