News analysis

Under-pressure China flexing its muscle against India?

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The chances of a large-scale conflict between China and India in the Himalayas are minuscule, although their latest skirmishes there have left 20 Indian soldiers dead and possibly as many, if not more, casualties on the Chinese side.

Both sides are busy dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic fallout, and will not want to add a major confrontation or war to their already immense difficulties, said Chinese international relations expert Shi Yinhong of Renmin University.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 19, 2020, with the headline Under-pressure China flexing its muscle against India?. Subscribe