Clash of the Indo-China border is in danger of going out of control, breaking out into a military conflict even though the leaders of the two countries have shown restraint.

Indian and Chinese soldiers fought on Friday in the Galwan valley, a disputed area between the two countries, killing at least 20 Indian soldiers.

This is considered the worst clash between the two sides in 4 decades, while experts warn Ladakh region in general and Galwan valley in particular could become a new geopolitical hot spot in South Asia in

The escalating tensions between the two nations possessing nuclear weapons have made the international community concerned, especially when India and China faced a brief border war in 1962. The United Nations repent

India's Foreign Ministry on June 17 accused China of seeking to "unilaterally change the status quo" in the Galwan valley, an important geographic intersection in the Himalayas, where New Delhi is implementing a road-clearing project.

Details of the clash remain confidential, but China blames India for the scuffle, adding that it doesn't want tensions escalating.

The risk of an Indo-China border conflict has been increasing since early May, when India accused China of sending thousands of troops across the Actual Control Line (LAC), which is considered a border between the two countries.

The scuffle killed several Indian soldiers, including a colonel, causing outrage in the South Asian nation.

"The sacrifices of the soldiers will not be meaningless. Unity and national sovereignty are the most important thing for us. India wants peace, but still has the ability to respond adequately if aggression is made.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi then telegraphed, agreeing to reduce tensions at the border.

Analysts say the current situation reflects China's reaction to military infrastructure projects undertaken by India in recent years in the Ladakh region.

Contested border area between China and India.

"I believe China is concerned about the Indian road being opened along the LAC, especially the route completed last year connecting the Lad capital of Leh to the Karakoram Pass," said Michael Kugelman, Asia Program Deputy Director

The route mentioned by Kugelman called Darbuk - Shyok - Daulat Beg Oldie (DSDBO), 255 km long and was inaugurated in 2019. China has repeatedly opposed the plan to expand a branch of DSDBO.

China's economic corridor to Pakistan and Central Asia passes through Karakoram, not far from the Galwan valley.

"Ladakh and the eastern region of Ladakh are very important to China, because it is the gateway to Central Asia and the China - Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project is invested by Beijing about 60 billion dollars. They have many benefits."

Jacob and Kugelman both said that China was trying to send a message to many neighboring countries through its conflict with India, especially after New Delhi removed its special status from Kashmir last year.

India then abolished Article 370 in the constitution, which guaranteed Kashmir's autonomy, at the same time separating Ladakh from Kashmir and turning it into a territory administered by the federal government.

"Any conjecture about China's motives in recent developments needs to be addressed by India's removal of Article 370. Clearly Beijing is reacting strongly and quickly after New Delhi's actions. China sees it.

Besides, there are many geopolitical factors related to recent tensions, including US-India-China relations.

"The US-China relationship is clearly deteriorating, while the Washington-New Delhi link has been strengthened. China seems to want to send a message to India that 'New Delhi can be close to the competitor of

As the two sides seek to dialogue, the determined view of controlling strategic areas on the border of the two countries may become an obstacle preventing efforts to resolve border conflicts.

The Galwan Valley plays an important role in India's strategy due to its proximity to the Nubra Valley, which houses the logistics base for the Pakistani army's countermeasures force deployed in the Siachen glaciers, a site considered to be a battleground.

"China can demand India's concessions, terminate infrastructure projects in certain areas. Beijing's control of the Galwan valley in the future could threaten New Delhi's forces in the mountains.

Border conflicts come against the backdrop of New Delhi's economic crisis caused by Covid-19.

"The fact that New Delhi's foreign policy in the past few years has completely failed. India is in a rather strict situation when it is confronted by one side of the Chinese power, the other is the small neighbors.