Almost a month since the first skirmishes on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between Indian and Chinese soldiers were reported, the situation on the ground still appears to be tense. While both governments have been careful to keep the tone of their comments sober, the fact that both sides have repeatedly mentioned that talks are on is also proof of an ongoing situation.

A full de-escalation will entail soldiers being able to return to their normal LAC patrols, something military officers say will probably need a high-level political intervention and for the Indian side, an insistence that Chinese soldiers, who appear to have been the aggressors, returning to positions they previously held. In the midst of these sensitive negotiations, the interventions by the U.S. come as inopportune distractions. The government’s first priority now must be to end the current standoff, and then for its senior officials to enter serious talks on LAC demarcation.

Given all the new infrastructure being built by India, it may also be necessary to negotiate new border management protocols that were last updated in 2013. The government must also investigate how a big build-up of Chinese soldiers was not acted upon earlier. Beyond this, it must make a full assessment of just what China’s final aims are: is the summer conflagration meant to deflect attention from Beijing’s current problems over the coronavirus pandemic, to deter India from its infrastructural push for roads and bridges to connect its northern frontiers all the way to the Karakoram pass, or to “remind” New Delhi of its geographical vulnerabilities as it contemplates a closer maritime relationship in the Indo-Pacific with the US?

Whatever may be the scenarios, the government should first give clear picture to the public on the seriousness of the situation at the LAC, and assert its position along the disputed line.