Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit has once again revived memories of the Galwan Valley clash — a turning point in India–China relations. Even five years later, the events of June 15, 2020, continue to define how the two Asian giants view each other.
What happened at Galwan?
On June 15, 2020, Indian and Chinese troops clashed in the Galwan Valley of Ladakh in brutal hand-to-hand combat. Armed with nail-studded rods, stones and makeshift clubs, soldiers fought through the freezing night at an altitude of over 14,000 feet. India lost 20 soldiers, including Colonel B. Santosh Babu of the 16 Bihar Regiment, while China admitted to four deaths though reports suggest higher casualties. Many soldiers also succumbed to injuries after falling into the icy Galwan River.
The incident broke a decades-old understanding between both nations to avoid fatalities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). It shattered trust, hardened positions, and changed the trajectory of bilateral ties.
Why Galwan changed everything
The Galwan clash was more than just a border skirmish — it ended 45 years of relative peace at the frontier. India swiftly tightened investment rules for Chinese firms, banned over 200 Chinese apps including TikTok, and accelerated border infrastructure projects. Military deployments surged, with over 100,000 troops from both sides stationed along the LAC in Ladakh for years after.
Diplomatic engagements stalled, and even multiple rounds of commander-level talks yielded limited progress. For India, Galwan marked the moment when Beijing shifted from being a competitor to a direct security threat.
Impact on India–China relations
Trust deficit has been the biggest fallout. Even today, public anger in India remains high, with many questioning why Beijing should be engaged diplomatically without full disengagement at the border. Trade ties remain robust — crossing ₹7.7 lakh crore deficit in FY25 — but people-to-people and cultural exchanges have been deeply hit.
China has tried to downplay Galwan as a “localised misunderstanding,” but India continues to highlight it as premeditated aggression. This divergence in narrative has widened the mistrust.
Modi’s China visit under scrutiny
Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Tianjin for the SCO summit is being closely watched. The optics of engaging with Chinese leadership after Galwan remain contentious at home. Families of the Galwan martyrs continue to seek closure, while netizens highlight how unresolved border issues overshadow attempts at a diplomatic reset.
The takeaway
Five years on, Galwan still haunts India–China ties because it was not just a clash — it was a breach of faith. Until the LAC sees meaningful disengagement and transparency, every diplomatic handshake will remain clouded by the memory of that night in June 2020.
