A video reportedly showing Indian and Chinese troops brawling in the disputed Himalayan region of Ladakh has sparked outrage across India, where it’s gone viral on social media. CNN cannot independently verify the authenticity of the footage, which shows the two sides separated by barbed wire on a rugged mountain landscape apparently untouched by winter. The troops are shown fighting with improvised weapons, including sticks and what appear to be pipes.
The incident comes days after Thailand and Cambodia began negotiations to resolve a deadly border dispute. Both sides accused the other of firing artillery into contested territory, and Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will lead his country’s delegation in Malaysia, where the conflict is expected to be discussed.
Despite the escalation, both nations say they are ready for talks, which could potentially lead to a ceasefire agreement in the coming weeks. But the skirmish may also signal a more serious deterioration in relations, which have been strained by disputes over trade, immigration and territorial claims.
This is the latest in a series of incidents that have erupted along the India-China border over the past two years. In a series of exchanges, both sides have claimed to have captured territory, and several soldiers have been killed in the clashes. The tense situation has prompted warnings of possible all-out war between the two countries. The escalation has also come after President Donald Trump urged the two nations to resolve their dispute.
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