The dragon did what it had to in Galwan before; it engaged in combat, used invasions, and ultimately built infrastructure on the disputed territory. This could have started a war, but India showed prudence and chose a diplomatic solution. After countless military discussions, there was a withdrawal followed by an attack from Tawang’s side now. The military misadventure of the dragon shows that China won’t back down and will keep trying India’s patience. India has previously irritated China in several ways, including by strengthening ties with the US and joining the Quad, which among other things focuses on Indo-Pacific Maritime Security.
India’s measures to strengthen security in water along with other QUAD members have had an impact on China, which, apart from other issues, is irritated by the US poking in the South China Sea. The intervention of the US in Taiwan is already a matter of concern for China while its matters have turned out to be quite rough concerning manning and showing its presence in the South China Sea. However, Tawang, the scene of the fighting, remains crucial to China’s dominance over the Tibetan plateau, and what happened there may have been a preemptive move by the Dragon to acquire leverage in a future border settlement with India. There is no way to know for sure because China may decide to escalate the situation at another location along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in accordance with its policy of observing the west and attacking the east.
One could effectively argue that interfering with India on multiple fronts is the policy choice of those in charge in China, given that incursions, interference, and clashes meant to undermine the territorial integrity of India have received support from the highest levels of power, as was previously evident when what happened at Galwan was presented as an accomplishment during the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. The nation as a whole must unite against China because it may have major plans, and that is what is more crucial.
