How India Pushed China Back in Ladakh

India has adopted a firm and strategic approach to counter China’s territorial coercion along the undemarcated border and LAC. In eastern Ladakh’s Depsang Plains, Indian patrols historically accessed key patrolling points like PP10 to PP13, affirming sovereignty without permanent structures. After the 2020 Galwan clash, China blocked Indian patrols at the Y-Junction, denying access to a 972-square-kilometre zone. India responded with a massive military buildup, matching Chinese deployments and constructing all-weather infrastructure to sustain forces through harsh winters. This mirror strategy imposed high costs on China and led to a 2024 agreement restoring Indian patrol rights across the full sector. India’s success stemmed from sustained attrition, refusal to separate border issues from broader ties, and leveraging diplomatic pressure. The restored access safeguards supply lines and defensive depth, neutralizing a long-standing flashpoint. This outcome exemplifies how military readiness and diplomatic resolve can reverse territorial pressure without direct conflict, offering a model for regional stability.