Last June saw the first deadly outbreak of fighting between the two sides since 1975 in the Galwan Valley. Soldiers confronted each other with weapons, including clubs and sticks, leading to the death of at least 20 Indians. The root cause of the conflict lies in an ill-defined, 3,440km (2,100-mile)-long border that both countries dispute.
Tensions have continued to rise between the nuclear-armed neighbours ever since the deadly clash in Ladakh.
First India accused China of provoking military tensions at the border twice within a week in August.
Then China accused India of firing shots at its troops in September.
Writing in The Tribune, Jayadeva Ranade, president for the Centre for China Analysis and Strategy, said: “Far from any signs of an end to the military stand-off between India and China, or that tensions between the two will ease, China’s mood towards India is hardening.
“The current confrontation could presage a period of sustained, protracted pressure on India.
“Well-informed Chinese analysts now suggest that the military confrontation in the Himalayas is likely to escalate.
“China has meanwhile stepped up domestic publicity, albeit limited, of its narrative on the military stand-off in Ladakh.
“While reiterating its territorial claim on Ladakh, China’s official media describes China’s actions in Ladakh as a counter-offensive provoked by India’s aggressive “forward policy” which infringes Chinese sovereignty.
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He predicted that differences over regional and global governance issues would grow, diminishing chances of future cooperation.
In a chilling sign that tensions and conflict are likely to grow in the very near future, an article posted to a website with close ties to China’s military accused the Indian Army of “waiting for an opportunity to cause trouble next year”.
The article was published in December, and urged the People’s Liberation Army to prepare itself for war.
The article’s author added: “India must be the one that pays the greater price.
“India will waste decades on the misjudgement of Modi and Jaishankar’s strategy”.