Battle lines at the top of the world 

Stalemate between India and China drags on with each side currently deploying 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the fiercely contested Line of Actual Control in India’s Himalayan Ladakh region


CHINA
INDIA
PAKISTAN

Gilgit-Baltistan
Controlled by Pakistan, claimed by India

Srinagar
JAMMU & KASHMIR
Udhampur
Northern Command
100km 60 miles
PAKISTAN

Shaksgam Valley
Controlled by China, claimed by India

Siachen Glacier 
Controlled by India, claimed by Pakistan

Karakoram Pass
Daulat Beg Oldi
Thoise
Line of Control
LADAKH

Leh
14th Corps HQ

Chushol
Nyoma 
Fukche
INDIA

Palampur
39th Mountain Division

CHINA

Aksai Chin
Controlled by China, claimed by India

Depsang Plains
Galwan Valley
Hot Springs, Gogra
Pangong Lake
Tibet
Line of Actual Control

Demchok
Claimed by China

1 2 3 4


1 Early 2020: People’s Liberation Army (PLA) occupies about 250sq km in Depsang Plains, putting strategic road to Daulat Beg Oldi airbase and Karakoram Pass in range of Chinese mortar fire

2 Jun 15, 2020: Clash between Indian Army and PLA troops in Galwan Valley results in deaths
of 20 men from India’s 16th Bihar Regiment, including its commanding officer, plus four PLA troops

3 Feb 20, 2021: PLA completes withdrawal of troops and 200-plus main battle tanks from 60sq km of south bank of Pangong Lake following military and diplomatic talks.
Indian Army withdraws from lake’s north bank

4 Jun 25: Eleventh round of military talks ends in stalemate with PLA refusal to withdraw from Gogra and Hot Springs as well as in Demchok and Depsang Plains


Sources: Press Trust of India, The Hindu, Lowy Institute, Bloomberg 
© GRAPHIC NEWS