2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 2 September
The National Assembly met for the first time since beginning of its recess, meeting for the first time in the new assembly building designed to insulate the assemblymen from the protests and journalists. The Association of European Journalists criticised the move, stating that the new building's security protocols prohibited journalists from accessing the assembly floor itself and instead limited them to only being able to cover predefined "protocol messages".


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 2 September
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev took to the tribune with a raised fist, while the pro-government GERB, NFSB and VMRO deputies refused to hear his speech and demonstratively left the building as soon as the president ascended the tribune. Radev criticised the assembly, stating that it had become "a mute and obedient executor of the prime minister's will" and reiterated his belief that the only way to solve the political crisis in the country was through the resignation of the entire government, followed by early elections. Following the end of the president's speech, the ruling coalition deputies returned to the floor and made their own statement, accusing Radev of having supported "purges" and "rebellions" and stated that "history would never remember a politician with a raised fist positively".


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 2 September
Most surprisingly of all, DPS leader Mustafa Karadaya then took to the floor and announced that his party will demand that both the government and the president resign. Karadaya lambasted the president's support for the protest movement and asserted that only his party could "guarantee the rights and freedoms of the individuals, the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the country, the irreplacability of the democracy and the free market economy".


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 2 September
Meanwhile, the protests in front of the assembly escalated dramatically. As protest leaders called for a "Grand National Revolt" (a play on words on "Grand National Assembly"), anti-government protesters attempted to break the police cordon and storm the assembly while it was in session, leading to physical clashes between themselves and security forces. Violence erupted, with police using tear gas against the demonstrators, also injuring several journalists in the process. Demonstrators responded by throwing firecrackers, bales of hay and bottles at the authorities.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 2 September
The Gendarmerie was called to assist police forces, but its buses were blocked by protesting crowds and tensions rose as they attempted to arrest one of the demonstrators. The protesters forced the gendarmes to release the arrestee. The situation nevertheless did not defuse and some protesters started throwing bricks at the authorities, after which they set fire to more bales of hay and hurled the burning hay at the policemen. In an emergency press conference, the authorities stated that protesters had exposed the policemen to unknown gasses, which they were allegedly attempting to use as a weapon against security forces.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 2 September
They reported that over 20 police officers had been injured by 10:00, announcing that the police had begun to arrest some demonstrators and threatened to use physical force "if tensions escalate". Emergency medical services reported that by 15:15 they had intervened to treat over 38 people injured in the Sofia clashes, hospitalizing 21 and giving field treatment to the remaining 17. They also reported that another 30 bogus calls to the services were made.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 2 September
Ivaylo Ivanov, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Interior claimed that the protesters had overstepped boundaries quite a bit, throwing self-made explosive devices at policemen, resulting in numerous injuries. Provocateurs affiliated with football fan clubs are believed to have played a major part in the escalation. According to police sources, 30 out of the 35 arrested demonstrators had previous criminal transgressions.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 2 September
Anti -government demonstrators also erected roadblocks at several key points across the country, blocking the Danube Bridge, the Veleka Bridge near Sinemorets and the Bulgarian-Romanian border checkpoint near Silistra as part of the "Grand National Revolt".


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 2 September
Meanwhile, Bulgarian police arrested Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of the anti-government Vazrazhdane party who was attending that day's protests.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 2 September
Later that day, GERB announced that it had managed to secure a majority in the house and would be depositing their proposed constitutional amendments after having managed to convince a faction of Volya deputies and a couple of independent MPs to support the government, in addition to obtaining assurances from the VMRO that the latter would continue supporting the government. The news of this development was not received positively by the protesters, which in turn stated that the protests would continue until the definitive resignation of the entire government. At the same time, the demonstrators that had blocked the Danube Bridge earlier that day voluntarily lifted their blockade, after they learned that their roadblock had caused a minor road traffic accident on a nearby small road, as well as massive traffic jams deep into neighbouring Romania.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 2 September
By around 22:00, news of the arrests alongside the government's decision to stay in power turned the so far entirely peaceful protest into a violent riot. Radical protesters attacked the stationed policemen by subjecting them to a hail of thrown objects, including a device the police described as an IED. One of the protest organizers, Nikolai Hadzhigenov, appealed to the crowd to stop the violence and continue protesting peacefully. The radical groups rejected his pleas and instead began attacking him as well.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 2 September
Several peaceful anti-government demonstrators also attempted to reason with the more radical camp in an attempt to stop the protest from turning into a riot, but their attempts were unsuccessful. They were pushed aside and their protest tent camp was then destroyed by the radicals, which took rubble from the broken remains of the camp and threw it at the police officers. A group of peaceful demonstrators then attempted to form a human wall cordon in front of the officers in an attempt to protect them from thrown objects. They were also targeted by the radical group and withdrew after brief clashes.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 2 September
By 23:00 the Gendarmes advanced on the enraged crowd and attempted to disperse it. After clashing with demonstrators, security forces had managed to divide the protesting crowd in two. The crowd nevertheless resisted and chanted insults that compared security forces to janissaries. The Chief of Bulgarian Police stated that the violence had begun after hardcore football hooligans had infiltrated that day's protests and accused an "organized football hooligan mob" of that day's escalation.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 2 September
By midnight, the police had brought a water cannon to assist with the dispersal of the protest and attacked demonstrators with tear gas, pepper spray and baton charges. Tens of policemen and protesters were reported to have been injured, and a police action to arrest protesters had begun. Journalist Dimitar Kenarov was handcuffed, dragged and kicked in the head by police. His camera was broken and he was pushed against the pavement for several hours despite him presenting his press card. The Association of European Journalists condemned the violence against Kenarov and stated that they will report this case of police brutality to their international partner organizations.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 3 September - Police crackdown
In the early night hours of the day, the police engaged in brutal clashes with protesting crowds. The police reported that over 80 of their own were wounded in the clashes, while over 200 protesters were arrested. At around 3:00 security forces charged at and dismantled two of the three tent camps in the city.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 3 September - Police crackdown
By 10:30 anti-government protesters once again attempted to block one of Sofia's main boulevards, while the police blocked them from doing so. Following brief clashes security forces shoved the protesters back to the sidewalks. Arrests followed and a further 34 people were arrested by the authorities by 15:30 under accusations of hooliganism. Despite this, demonstrators had managed to push back police forces and successfully occupy the boulevard by the afternoon.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 3 September - Police crackdown
Meanwhile, the ruling party announced that a potential government resignation was out of the question and blamed the protest organizers, as well as President Radev, for the previous night's violence.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 3 September - Police crackdown
By evening, President Radev addressed the nation on live television. He accused the government of having used agent provocateurs to radicalize the protest movement, so as to give an excuse for the security forces to unleash "massive and disproportional police brutality against protesters and journalists". Radev appealed to both the protesters and security forces to remain calm and "refuse to be involved in an orchestrated play to save the corrupt government". He finished his speech by demanding the "immediate and unconditional resignation of the cabinet" as the "only possible exit out of the crisis". Similar accusations were made by several prominent protest leaders from the "Poisonous Trio", who stated that the protest movement had carried on peacefully for 55 days, before unknown aggressive individuals had infiltrated the previous day's protests.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 3 September - Police crackdown
At 19:30, a large anti-government rally marched peacefully through the capital and continued until past midnight, blocking several roads, but avoiding clashes with the authorities. Police forces nevertheless stormed and blocked the area around the Sofia Archaeological Museum, due to what they called an "unidentified item". Protest organizers called for a rebuilding of the demolished barricades, some of which were briefly rebuilt, but then taken down again voluntarily by the protesters.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 4 September - Hippoland investigation
Police arrests continued, notably detaining Aleksandar Branekov, a football star that had formerly played for CSKA Sofia and Lokomotiv Sofia under accusation that he threw paving stones at security forces during the 2 September riot.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 4 September - Hippoland investigation
Authorities from various government branches raided Hippoland, a company selling children's toys, after it was revealed that the owner and his son had attended the anti-government protests and criticised the police. The country's interior ministry denied that the raids were political in nature and stated that they had found a "discrepancy" between the company's balance sheet and cash on hand worth around 9,60 lev (around 6 US dollars). Anti -government demonstrators took to supporting Hippoland by gathering outside its stores across the country, following which the investigations into the company were suspended by the authorities.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 4 September - Hippoland investigation
As protests gathered in the city centre, police forces set up checkpoints to control the flow of people around the protests. Meanwhile, anti-government demonstrators once more built a new tent camp next to the main government buildings in the city. The protesters called for a "Grand National Revolt 2" on 10 September, but stated that they would not support violence. Many demonstrators at the rally brought toys purchased from Hippoland in an act of solidarity with the company.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 4 September - Hippoland investigation
The "Poisonous Trio" of protest organizers called for a boycott against the nation's parliament by all opposition parties represented within it. Following their calls, only 119 of the country's 240 parliamentarians registered their attendance in the session, two short of the 121 minimum for a quorum. This paralyzed the national assembly and led to the failure of the parliamentary sitting due to the lack of a quorum. The news of this were greeted by "RESIGN" chants from the socialist deputies that attended, but did not register for the sitting.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 7 September - Socialists' parliamentary boycott
The Bulgarian Socialist Party, the largest parliamentary opposition party in the country, announced that it would extend its parliamentary boycott indefinitely, refusing to register its deputies in the national assembly in an attempt to strip the chamber of the quorum necessary for it to function. The Socialists announced that they would attend only if it concerns the introduction of machine voting or for the dissolution of the assembly, while boycotting all other parliamentary business. The leader of GERB's parliamentary group expressed apathy for their decision, stating that "they were going to leave - they should leave! ".


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 9 September - DPS refuses to boycott parliament
The National Assembly's quorum was saved by the DPS, which took a last-minute decision to register their presence in the chamber and abstain from joining the Socialists' boycott.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 10 September - Grand National Revolt 2
Anti -government protests began as early as 8:00, as crowds gathered in an attempt to block the pro-government majority deputies from making their way into the assembly building. Despite this and due to a heavy police presence, the deputies managed to enter the building through its side entrance and declared that they would not be resigning. The demonstrators managed to block a major Sofia boulevard, but their gathering was limited by many police checkpoints, that screened and limited the flow of people into the protest.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 10 September - Grand National Revolt 2
Police forces reported that six protesters were arrested, among which several which carried water guns and one woman that had a can of pepper spray in her purse. Authorities also reported raiding a nearby park and finding bottles, unidentified knives, unidentified liquids, as well as several sticks and stones in the dirt, adding that items such as those could be dangerous and justify the control measures imposed on the protests. Meanwhile, the Socialist deputies refused to even enter the assembly and instead joined the protesting crowds as ordinary citizens. The government initially stated that it had obtained a quorum, but a headcount two hours later revealed that a quorum was, in fact, lacking. This once again paralyzed the assembly and the members of parliament were escorted out of the building under guard shortly before 11:00.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 16 September - Infiltration of the parliament; Quorum narrowly reestablished
Anti -government protesters from The System Kills Us, accompanied by Maya Manolova and her organization Izpravise.BG infiltrated the new parliament building and barricaded themselves inside alongside a young person with cerebral palsy in a wheelchair. From inside, the demonstrators attempted to distribute declarations calling for the dissolution of the assembly and fresh elections, which they wanted members of parliament to sign. Ultimately, their declarations were only signed by three socialist assembly members before the demonstrators were forcefully removed from the building by police and guards from the National Service for Protection. Protesters and politicians from the opposition blamed chairman of the National Assembly Tsveta Karayancheva for disallowing access to the Parliament's toilet for the disabled person and for ordering the forceful removal of protesters by the National Service for Protection. The BSP and DPS demanded Karayancheva's resignation.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 16 September - Infiltration of the parliament; Quorum narrowly reestablished
As the assembly began its session, the government managed to secure a 121-seat quorum for the assembly, narrowly securing the functioning of the chamber by a present majority of just one person. However, the government failed to convince the assembly to pass its proposed electoral reform, intended to switch Bulgaria to a more majoritarian electoral system, resulting in their motion failing in the chamber.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 22 September - Grand National Revolt 3
The third major protest under the slogan of Grand National Revolt occurred on Bulgaria's Independence Day. Thousands gathered at the Largo after 17:00 to demand the government's resignation. Chairman of the National Assembly Tsveta Karayancheva was met by protesters in Veliko Tarnovo where she delivered a speech on account of Independence Day. Protesters hooted and shouted "resign" throughout her whole speech, forcing her to interrupt it on one occasion. Later in the evening protesters marched to the old Parliament building and attempted to circumvent it, but were stopped by a heavy police cordon. This resulted in minor clashes with police forces, but there were no seriously injured people and only one person was arrested.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 24 September - DPS headquarters pelted with eggs
At the end of the 78th day of protests, anti-government demonstrators marched to the headquarters of the DPS and pelted it with loads of eggs.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, September, 25 September - Sofia Municipality building pelted with eggs
On the 79th day since the beginning of the protests, the demonstrators focused on their demand for the resignation of Sofia mayor Yordanka Fandakova, and marched to the Sofia Municipality building, pelting it with a multitude of eggs.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, October, 3 October - Grand National Revolt 4
Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in downtown Sofia for the 4th edition of the Grand National Revolts. Later in the evening, the protesters marched to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, this time without any altercations with the police forces.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, October, 16 October - Grand National Revolt 5
On the 100th day of the protests thousands of demonstrators gathered in the Bulgarian capital for the 5th Grand National Revolt. In the early afternoon a group of students from Sofia University carrying a large "Resign" banner were halted by police as they tried to join the larger group of demonstrators at the Largo. In response, protesters from the Largo marched towards the university and the police was forced to let the students pass.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, October, 16 October - Grand National Revolt 5
Members of the European Parliament Paul Tang from the Netherlands and Ivan Sinčić from Croatia joined the protest and addressed the crowd from the stage. Romanian MEP Ramona Strugariu also express her support for the demonstrators via video conference. Irish MEP Clare Daly was expected to speak via video conference, but due to the worsening weather conditions it was announced that she would instead attend the protest personally on the following day.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, October, 16 October - Grand National Revolt 5
Despite intensifying thunderstorm, demonstrators marched towards Alexander Nevsky Cathedral where Priest Dionisiy said a prayer. The procession then continued towards the Bulgarian National Television where a live debate show hosted one of the protest leaders Arman Babikyan. Protesters again demanded the resignation of BNT director general Emil Koshlukov and clashed with police during a brief attempt to storm the building. It was announced that this would be the last Grand National Revolt and that the protests would take a different approach from now on.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, October, 16 October - Grand National Revolt 5
An anti-government demonstration was also held in Varna in support of Grand National Revolt 5.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, October, 19 October - Ministry of Defence pelted with eggs and tomatoes
On the evening of the 103rd day of protests, the demonstrators marched to the Ministry of Defence and pelted the building with loads of eggs and tomatoes.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, October, 20 October - COVID-related protest
On 20 October 2020, there were anti-mask sentiments expressed by members of the protest movement, with many of the participants opposed to the compulsory wearing of masks in open air spaces.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, October, 22 October - Ministry of Finance pelted with eggs and tomatoes
On day 106 since the beginning of the protests, anti-government demonstrators marched to the Ministry of Finance, pelting the building with multiple eggs and tomatoes.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, November, 1 November - Poisonous Trio change their approach toward the daily protests
At the start of November, the "Poisonous Trio" stepped down as leaders and organizers of the daily protests, citing as a reason "an attempt to slow the spread of the virus", and  changed their approach to "alternative and more infrequent forms of protest".


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, November, 3 November - Protest in front of the GERB headquarters
On the 118th day of protests in Sofia, demonstrators marched to the headquarters of the main ruling party GERB, demanding for the resignation of GERB leader and prime-minister Boyko Borisov.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, November, 10 November - Protest in front of the Information Service building
In the evening of the 125th day since the beginning of the protests, demonstrators marched to the building of Information Service - the state company that is responsible for counting and tabulating the votes during elections in Bulgaria. The protesters demanded for the resignation of Information Service's chairman Mihail Konstantinov, because of his close ties with the ruling party. The anti-government demonstrators accused Information Service of engaging in electoral fraud, favoring the ruling party GERB, citing that "it doesn't matter who cast the votes, it matters who counts the votes".


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, November, 16 November - Protest in front of the VMRO headquarters
On the 131st day of protests, demonstrators gathered in front of the VMRO headquarters - one of GERB's coalition partners. From the windows of the higher floors of the building, the VMRO members and activists were throwing firecrackers and squirting water with a hose on top of the protesters. One of the VMRO activists was the member of the European Parliament - Angel Dzhambazki.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, December
The protests continued in December,  but they saw less turnout compared to the summer months.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, December, 4 December - automobile parade
Protesters participated in their second vehicle parade (the first one took place in July), starting from the Bulgarian National Bank and reaching the Vrana Palace, maintaining a speed of 20 km/h and honking horns.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, December, 23 December - focus on the  office of the general prosecutor
The non-governmental organization "Justice for All" (Bulgarian: "Правосъдие за всеки") organized a demonstration in favor of removing the position of chief prosecutor. Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard was temporarily blocked as well.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, January, Protests continue into the new year
The daily protests continue into 2021 with several hundred demonstrators gathering to celebrate the new year, while demanding for Borisov's resignation in front of the Council of Ministers.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, February, Second protest in front of Borisov's house
On February 13, anti-government demonstrators gathered for a second time (first time being in August) in front of PM Borisov's personal home in the western suburb of Sofia - Bankya. The protestors asserted that Borisov has committed many crimes for which they think he should face court trial and be sentenced to imprisonment. Borisov was not present at his home during the protest, with the house being presumably empty.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, March, Third protest in front of Borisov's home
On March 6, anti-government protestors gathered for a third time in front of Boyko Borisov's private home in Bankya. The house was once again presumably empty. The demonstrators painted with chalk the street in front of the house, writing: "resignation", "prison", "murderer", "thief", "traitor", "mafia boss", "criminal", "coward", "liar", "damn you", "shame and disgrace" etc.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, March, Protests in front of Dogan's mansion and Borisov's residence in Boyana
On March 13, anti-government demonstrators gathered in front of oligarch Ahmed Dogan's mansion in Sofia's southern neighborhood Boyana. Right after that, they went to the adjacent governmental residence of Prime Minister Borisov. The protestors wanted to meet Dogan and Borisov, in order to perform citizen's arrests on them. However, both political leaders did not show up.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, March, Fourth protest in front of Borisov's house
On March 21, despite the bad winter conditions, anti-government demonstrators visited for a fourth time the private home of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov in Bankya. The protestors assured that they will gather in front of Borisov's house regularly, until after Borisov is put in prison for the many crimes that he has committed.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, April, Protest in front of GERB's headquarters
On April 4, 2021, supporters of "The System is Killing Us", unhappy with the election results, demonstrated in front of the governing party's headquarters in the capital.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Timeline, April, Protests end triumphantly
On April 16, 2021, after 282 consecutive days of demonstrations against the 3rd Borisov government, the core of the protestors declared the end of their daily protests, with the end of the 4-year term of the government, as the formal resignation of Boyko Borisov as Prime Minister of Bulgaria was accepted by the 45th parliament of Bulgaria.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Reactions, International organizations
European Union – The European Union's leadership has been accused of having hand of supporting Borisov's government to remain silent over the country's corruption issues. On 14 July the European Commission expressed its support to the demonstrators right to protest.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Reactions, International organizations
Expresses unequivocal support for the people of Bulgaria in their legitimate demands and aspirations for justice, transparency, accountability and democracy; firmly believes that peaceful demonstrations are a fundamental right in every democratic country and supports the right of people to peaceful protest; condemns any form of violence against peaceful demonstrations; underlines that freedom of expression and freedom of information must be respected at all times; highlights that the use of violence and disproportionate force is unacceptable; expresses in particular dismay at the allegations of use of force against women and children, including children with disabilities; is concerned by the unlawful and excessive audits of private businesses who have publicly expressed their support for the protests; condemns the violent and disproportionate intervention by the police during the protests in July–August–September 2020; calls on the Bulgarian authorities to ensure a full, transparent, impartial and effective investigation into the actions of the police"


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Reactions, International organizations
Roberta Metsola, MEP from the Borisov-supporting European People's Party drew criticism after proposing several amendments to the resolution which sought to add statements about President Radev using the protests as his political platform and his advisers being accused of influence peddling. Furthermore, she proposed the removal of a reference to the misuse of EU funds and high-level corruption allegations that directly involve the Prime Minister and sought to add a claim that a prominent Bulgarian gambling boss with 18 charges raised against him was funneling cash to the protest movement. The latter was withdrawn by Metsola herself while the former were rejected by the Parliament.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Analysis and political commentary
Political scientists have characterized the protests as having many faces due to bringing together people who may not have a lot of common ground in terms of political orientations, as a result of which the demonstrations are also believed to have managed to transcend the old divide between left- and right-wing leaning Bulgarians, while exhibiting similarities to the anti-Oresharski protest movement in terms of being dominated by political rather than social demands.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Analysis and political commentary
However, Confederation of Labour Podkrepa leader Dimitar Manolov has seen the explicit support by a greater number of political parties for the protests as a weakness due to perceiving many of these political figures as untrustworthy, also depicting the demonstrations as lacking the energy of the anti-Oresharski ones and expressing disappointment with the absence of employment-related demands.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Analysis and political commentary
A major factor behind the citizen energy to protest has been the deep crisis of trust in the political elites, which has notably resulted in delegitimizing Boyko Borisov and Ivan Geshev, with resignation regarded as the only useful political move from the standpoint of the latter two. Artist and animator Theodore Ushev has similarly identified the main issue as being the "carricature of democracy" that Bulgarian society has been receiving over the last 30 years, expressing the viewpoint that no protest can be a failure and remaining optimistic about the future. According to political commentator Evgeniy Daynov  the protests are deep-rooted and even civilizational, reflecting the dissatisfaction of many modern thinking young people with the non-democratic governing practices that are seen as typical of the 1990s, thus in a sense representing a revolt of the future against the past.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Analysis and political commentary
Writer Stefan Tsanev has been critical of the protest methods, such as the throwing of rotten produce at government buildings, and the non-compromising tone adopted by them, drawing parallels with the repressions associated with the dekulakization in Bulgaria. This, coupled with the lack of clarity as to what the plan is once the aims of the protests are achieved, has in his view lessened the protesters' appeal to the intellectuals.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Analysis and political commentary
Journalist and writer Lyuben Dilov has claimed that the protests are essentially a Sofia-based phenomenon, as the protesters have been unable to translate their messages into a language digestible to the wider masses of citizens outside the capital city, and also lack a unifying figure. The absence of a protest leader and a unified platform has also been identified as a weakness of the protests by sociologist Boryana Dimitrova who also stated that the protesters faced an uphill battle due to the pandemic situation, during which existential questions tend to push political ones out of the picture.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Analysis and political commentary
Political scientist Ognyan Minchev stated in December 2020 that the wider society has so far been unable to produce a credible alternative to Borisov's party that could lead the country in a new direction, though he also indicated that this is just a temporary bonus for the government and by no means something for which the status quo deserves praise.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Analysis and political commentary
Academician and psychiatrist Drozdstoy Stoyanov argued that Borisov's quasi-totalitarian style of governing gave the general public a sense of predictability and certainty about tomorrow, similar to how many felt under the People's Republic of Bulgaria, which sense they craved like a narcotic. He further asserted that people didn't genuinely like Prime Minister Borisov, but the uneducated saw him as a father figure who is sympathetic to their hardships due to his image as a man of the people. Stoyanov concluded that the lack of intelligentsia in Bulgarian society contributed to Borisov's enduring positive image among the masses.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Potential impact on COVID-19 transmission
Medics and public figures have expressed concerns that the protests will contribute to a further rise in the number of infections due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria, with actions such as loud speaking identified as significantly more likely to generate a higher number of virus-containing droplets.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Potential impact on COVID-19 transmission
Infectiologist Atanas Mangarov, whose views have been criticized by many of his colleagues within the field of medicine, such as leading members of the National Operational Headquarters for the fight against the coronavirus in Bulgaria, has claimed that the protests could be potentially beneficial in the long-term due to herd immunity (acquired as a result of many young and low-risk protest participants catching the virus and recovering from it) bringing the pandemic to a halt.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Potential impact on COVID-19 transmission
On 1 August 2020 a sharp increase in the number of positive tests for COVID-19 among police officers in Sofia was reported, though none of them were heavily symptomatic. As a result, the number of security personnel deployed at the protests was reduced and Radoslav Stoynev, head of the Security Police Department, urged that masks be worn outdoors as well. However, no increase in COVID-19 cases among the general population has been attributed to the protests and the number of active cases in Bulgaria was in decline from early August until late September 2020.


2020–2021 Bulgarian protests, Potential impact on COVID-19 transmission
Todor Kantardzhiev, a prominent member of the National Operational Headquarters for the fight against the coronavirus in Bulgaria, claimed in September 2020 that the protests did not play a significant role in bringing about exponential spread in the country, though Asen Baltov, the director of Pirogov Hospital, identified them in January 2021 as one of a number of factors contributing to the strain that was put on the country's health services in the autumn. The protesters and their organizers have been criticized for not observing some of the pandemic-related protocols.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes
Beginning on 5 May 2020, Chinese and Indian troops engaged in aggressive melee, face-offs and skirmishes at locations along the Sino-Indian border, including near the disputed Pangong Lake in Ladakh and the Tibet Autonomous Region, and near the border between Sikkim and the Tibet Autonomous Region. Additional clashes also took place at locations in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes
In late May, Chinese forces objected to Indian road construction in the Galwan river valley. According to Indian sources, melee fighting on 15/16 June 2020 resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and casualties of 43 Chinese soldiers. Media reports stated that soldiers were taken captive on both sides and released in the coming few days while official sources on both sides went on to deny this. On 7 September, for the first time in 45 years, shots were fired along the LAC, with both sides blaming each other for the firing. Indian media also reported that Indian troops fired warning shots at the PLA on 30 August.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes
Partial disengagement from Galwan, Hot Springs and Gogra occurred in June–July 2020 while complete disengagement from Pangong Lake north and south bank took place in February 2021. Following disengagement at Gogra in August 2021, Indian analysts pointed out that the LAC has shifted westwards at patrol point 17A (PP 17A).


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes
Amid the standoff, India reinforced the region with approximately 12,000 additional workers, who would assist India's Border Roads Organisation in completing the development of Indian infrastructure along the Sino-Indian border. Experts have postulated that the standoffs are Chinese pre-emptive measures in responding to the Darbuk–Shyok–DBO Road infrastructure project in Ladakh. China has also extensively developed their infrastructure in these disputed border regions and are continuing to do so. The revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, in August 2019, by the Indian government has also troubled China.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes
However, India and China have both maintained that there are enough bilateral mechanisms to resolve the situation. This includes multiple rounds of colonel, brigadier and major general rank dialogue, special representatives' meetings, meetings of the 'Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs' (WMCC), meetings and communication between the foreign ministers and the defense ministers. On 31 July 2021, the twelfth corps-commander-level meeting took place.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes
Following the Galwan Valley skirmish on 15 June, some Indian campaigns about boycotting Chinese products were started. Action on the economic front included cancellation and additional scrutiny of certain contracts with Chinese firms, and calls were also made to stop the entry of Chinese companies into strategic markets in India. By November 2020, the Indian government had banned over 200 Chinese apps including apps owned by Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu, Sina and Bytedance.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Background
The border between China and India is disputed at multiple locations. There is "no publicly available map depicting the Indian version of the LAC," and the Survey of India maps are the only evidence of the official border for India. The Chinese version of the LAC mostly consists of claims in the Ladakh region, but China also claims Arunachal Pradesh in northeast India.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Background
Since the 1980s, there have been over 50 rounds of talks between the two countries related to these border issues. Only 1 to 2 percent of border incidents between 2010 and 2014 had received any form of media coverage. In 2019, India reported over 660 LAC violations and 108 aerial violations by the People's Liberation Army which were significantly higher than the number of incidents in 2018. Despite the disputes, skirmishes, and standoffs, no incidence of gunshots being fired had been reported between the two countries along the border for over 50 years; however this changed on 7 September during this skirmish.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Background
During Xi Jinping's visit to New Delhi in September 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the boundary question and urged his counterpart for a solution. Since Modi became Prime Minister in 2014 until the 2020 standoff, Modi and Xi met 18 times, including those on the sidelines of summits and five visits to China. However, in 2017, China and India got into a major standoff in Doklam that lasted 73 days. On 3 January 2018 Xi Jinping, as Chairman Central Military Commission, issued the first Training Mobilisation Order.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Background
This was the first time that military training instructions had been given directly by the Chairman Central Military Commission. Following this PLA forces have been mobilising training on the basis of the order. A retired PLA major general explains, "...improving combat readiness is now a strategic mission for the Chinese military [...] China can't copy the US' measure to improve combat capability through actual combat overseas since our national defence policy is defensive rather than offensive. Therefore, military training becomes extremely important for China." China has since increased its military presence in the Tibetan Plateau. China has also been increasing its footprint with India's neighbours – Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan; so from India having a monopoly in the region, China is now posing a direct challenge to New Delhi's influence in South Asia.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Causes
Multiple reasons have been cited as the trigger for these skirmishes. According to Mitch McConnell, US Senate Minority Leader, and Ashley Tellis, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, one reason is China's territory grabbing technique, also referred to as 'salami slicing', which involves encroaching upon small parts of enemy territory over a large period of time. In mid-June 2020, chairperson Urgain Chodon of Koyul–Demchok, stated that successive Indian governments (including the current Narendra Modi government) have neglected the border areas for decades and turned a "blind eye" to Chinese land grabbing in the region.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Causes
According to her, India had failed in the protection of its borders, and even in 2020, all along the LAC, India had lost land. Other local Ladakhi leaders also acknowledged similar incursions by Chinese forces in the region. Also in mid-June 2020, BJP member of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh Tapir Gao acknowledged the presence of regular Chinese patrols inside north-east India as well.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Causes
MIT professor, Taylor Fravel, said that the skirmishes were a response from China to the development of Indian infrastructure in Ladakh, particularly along the Darbuk–Shyok–DBO Road. He added that it was a show of strength for China amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which had damaged the Chinese economy and its international reputation. According to Yun Sun, a China specialist at the Stimson Center, China perceived India's road building as a threat to its "territorial integrity" which it will not sacrifice for the sake of good relations with India.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Causes
Lobsang Sangay, President of the Tibetan-government-in-exile, stated that China is raising border issues due to internal problems within China and the international pressure being exerted on China over COVID-19. Jayadeva Ranade, former National Security Advisory Board member, posited that China's current aggression in the region is to protect its assets and future plans in Ladakh and adjoining regions such as the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Causes
Wang Shida of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations linked the current border tensions to India's decision to abrogate Article 370 and change the status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. Although, Pravin Sawhney agreed with Wang, he postulated that a parliamentary speech by Amit Shah also could have irked China. In the speech, Shah had declared that Aksai Chin, a disputed region administered by China, was part of the Indian-administered Ladakh Union Territory.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Causes
Furthermore, the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 prompted multiple senior Bharatiya Janata Party ministers, most recently in May 2020, to claim that all that now remained was for India to regain Gilgit-Baltistan. Indian diplomat Gautam Bambawale also agreed that New Delhi's moves related to Jammu and Kashmir irked Beijing.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Causes
Other analysts linked the skirmishes to India's growing alliance with the United States. Liu Zongyi, a South Asia specialist at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies told the Financial Times that "India has been active in many of US plans that target China". Tanvi Madan, author of Fateful Triangle (a book about the international relations between the US, India and China) stated that India thought that this was "signal from Beijing" to "limit" its relations with the US. Phunchok Stobdan, a former diplomat of India, stated that "smaller powers like India and Australia, who have aligned with the US, are witnessing a more aggressive China".


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Causes
India's former ambassador to China, Ashok Kantha said that these skirmishes were part of a growing Chinese assertiveness in both the Indo-China border and the South China sea. Retired Indian Army Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain said that the skirmishes were post–COVID strategic messages from China to its neighbours which would make India prioritise the Himalayan sector over the maritime Indian Ocean region, a more vulnerable area for China.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Causes
Raja Mohan, Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore, writes that the growing power imbalance between China and India is the main cause of the dispute, with everything else such as the location of the dispute or international ties of India, being mere detail. These skirmishes have also been linked by multiple people with the Chinese strategy of Five Fingers of Tibet.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Order of battle
April 2020 onwards divisions from the Western Theatre Command of PLA's Ground Force, the 4th (Highland) Motorised Infantry and 6th (Highland) Mechanised Infantry Divisions, moved units towards the LAC in eastern Ladakh reinforcing the existing deployment. The divisions stayed in eastern Ladakh from May 2020 to February 2021 following which they rotated with the 8th and the 11th Motorised Divisions. PLA Air Force and PLA Rocket Force deployed in support.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Order of battle
Post Galwan, there has been an overall increase in India's deployment against China in all three sectors— the northern, central and eastern sectors. Prior deployment by India directed towards China included 14 Corps based in Leh, 17 Corps and 33 Corps in Sikkim, and 3 Corps and 4 Corps in the eastern sector. Additions and changes have been made to this such as a proposed reorganising of the 14 Division, earmarked for fighting against Pakistan in the plains, into a mountain division for deployment in Himachal and Uttarakhand against China. India's paramilitary such as the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is deployed closer to the border at most locations, with the army holding line some kilometers behind them.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents
A June 2020 report from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said that there have been simultaneous efforts by China to occupy land at multiple locations along the Sino-Indian border. Standoffs, skirmishes and transgressions have taken place at Pangong Tso, Kugrang Valley (referred to as Hot Springs and Gogra), Galwan Valley, the Depsang Bulge area, Gurung Hill and Reqin La in Ladakh; and at one location in Sikkim.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents
Amid de-escalatory talks in Ladakh, on 29 June 2020, China, opened a new front in the border dispute by claiming, for the first time, that Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the disputed territory of Bhutan's Trashigang District. During late July and early August, reports emerged of PLA strengthening positions and accumulating troops at more locations other than Ladakh such as Uttarakhand's Lipulekh Pass, parts of north Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Following the Galwan valley clash, India deployed a warship to the South China Sea. The first border clash reported in 2021 was on 20 January, referred to as a minor border clash in Sikkim.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Pangong Tso
On 5 May, the first standoff began as a clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers at a beach of Pangong Tso, a lake shared between India and Tibet, China, with the Line of Actual Control (LAC) passing through it. A video showed soldiers from both nations engaging in fistfights and stone-pelting along the LAC. On 10/11 May, another clash took place. A number of soldiers on both sides had sustained injuries.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Pangong Tso
Indian media reported that around 72 Indian soldiers were injured in the confrontation at Pangong Tso, and some had to be flown to hospitals in Leh, Chandi Mandir and Delhi. According to The Daily Telegraph and other sources, China captured 60 square kilometres (23 sq mi) of Indian-patrolled territory between May and June 2020. By the end of August it was reported that, according to the intelligence inputs given to the Indian Central Government, China has occupied 65 square kilometres (25 sq mi) in this area.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Pangong Tso
By 27 June, China was reported to have increased military presence on both the northern and southern banks of Pangong Tso, strengthened their positions near Finger 4 (contrary to what the status quo was in April), and had even started construction of a helipad, bunkers and pillboxes. Satellite imagery from between 12 and 26 June, by Planet Labs shows that the Chinese army increased infrastructure between Finger 4 and 5 on a massive scale, which includes tents, trenches, water tanks and stationed equipment and vehicles along with some camouflaged structures.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Pangong Tso
The Planet Labs imagery also showed terrain inscribed with the Mandarin Chinese name of China, Zhongguo, along with the present day map of China on the shore of the lake between Finger 4 and 5. Both countries have multiple high powered boats for patrolling the Pangong Lake which is 13,900 feet above sea level. While the Indian Army already had multiple boat patrolling teams stationed, the Indian Navy, in July 2020, was called in to match the presence of the Chinese Type 928 B vessels at the lake. In the first week of September, according to Indian media reports citing a government official, "100 to 200 shots" were fired by both sides as "warning shots" on the north bank of Pangong Lake.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Chushul sector
On 29–30 August, the skirmishes expanded to the southern shore of Pangong Tso near the Ladakhi village of Chushul. An Indian Army spokesperson said that the PLA had made provocative military movements on the night of 29/30 August along the southern bank of Pangong Tso and that they were pre-empted by an Indian response which quickly moved to occupy higher terrain in a defensive move without any violence occurring. The Indian Army repositioned its troops in the area as a precaution to prevent any future intrusion by the PLA.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Chushul sector
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian denied any intrusion by PLA into Indian territory. Zhang Shuili, the Western Theater Command spokesman, accused Indian military of provocation and violating China's territorial sovereignty. A brigade commander-level flag meeting was called to resolve issues. By 3 September 2020, Indian media reported that Indian troops had occupied many heights on the south bank of Pangong Tso. The heights mentioned include Rezang La, Reqin La, Black Top, Hanan, Helmet, Gurung Hill, Gorkha Hill and Magar Hill. Some of these heights are in the grey zone of the LAC and overlook Chinese camps.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Chushul sector
On 4 September 2020, during the high-level meeting between China and India in Moscow, aggressive posturing was reported from Rechin La in the Chushul sector. PLA troops were also seen to be moving an anti-aircraft gun to Black Top. On 7 September 2020 at around 6:15 pm PLA troops tried approaching Indian positions at Mukhpari, as per Indian reports. Photos of PLA soldiers carrying spears, machete and rifles were released; this was the first publicly released photographic evidence of Chinese troops using such weapons. Indian soldiers who controlled the heights here used floodlights and megaphones to dissuade approaching PLA troops.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Chushul sector
Indian reports stated that it was then that PLA troops fired 10 – 15 rounds. However a spokesperson of the PLA claimed that Indian troops fired warning shots at the Chinese troops. The PLA Western Theatre Command spokesperson also claimed the Indian Army had crossed the LAC to enter the "Shenpao mountain region". On 8 September both India and China blamed each other for firing warning shots.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Chushul sector
This is the first time in 45 years, since 1975 when Chinese opened fire on a Assam Rifles patrol in Tulung La in Arunachal Pradesh, that shots have been fired between India and China. Indian media also reported that Indian troops fired warning shots at the PLA on 30 August to prevent them from changing the status quo on the southern bank on Pangong Tso. Indian troops have put up barbed wire obstacles around positions.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Chushul sector
Indian government sources denied occupying the features Helmet Top and Black Top. They stated that "any trajectory" was possible in going forward.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Sikkim
According to Indian media reports, on 10 May, there was a minor skirmish between Indian and Chinese troops in Muguthang, Naku La, Sikkim. The incident involved a brawl between scores of soldiers, with opposing sides also throwing stones at one another. A few soldiers from both sides were injured. A spokesperson from Indian Army's Eastern Command said that the matter had been "resolved after 'dialogue and interaction' at a local level" and that "temporary and short-duration face-offs between border guards do occur as boundaries are not resolved. Troops usually resolve such issues by using mutually established protocols". China did not share details about the incident, and the Chinese Ministry of Defense did not comment on the incident. However, the foreign ministry said that the "Chinese soldiers had always upheld peace and tranquility along the border".


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Eastern Ladakh
On 21 May, the Indian Express reported that Chinese troops had entered the Indian territory in the Galwan River valley and objected to the road construction by India within the (undisputed) Indian territory. The road under construction is a branch of the Darbuk–Shyok–DBO Road (DSDBO) which leads into the Galwan valley. The report also stated that "the Chinese pitched 70–80 tents in the area and then reinforced the area with troops, heavy vehicles, and monitoring equipment."


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Eastern Ladakh
On 24 May, another report said that the Chinese soldiers invaded India at three different places: Hot Springs, Patrol Point 14, and Patrol Point 15. At each of these places, around 800–1,000 Chinese soldiers reportedly crossed the LAC and settled at a place about 2–3 km (1–2 mi) from the border, pitching tents and deploying heavy vehicles and monitoring equipment. The report added that India also deployed troops in the area and stationed them 300–500 metres (984–1,640 ft) from the Chinese troops.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Eastern Ladakh
The EurAsian Times stated that the Chinese forces "have a huge build-up including military-style bunkers, new permanent structures, military trucks, and road-building equipment". On 30 May, Ajai Shukla reported that thousands of Chinese soldiers were "consolidating their positions," and that there were 18 guns at Pangong Tso and about 12 guns in the Galwan valley. Indian troops had taken up positions to block any further advance by the PLA towards the DSDBO Road.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Eastern Ladakh
On 27 May 2020, the Chinese Ambassador to India as well as a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman stated that the overall situation was stable. However, news reports continued stating that thousands of Chinese soldiers were moving into the disputed regions in Ladakh. This move prompted India to deploy more troops. Chinese infrastructure development was also reported in Gogra–Hot Springs. Tracks in satellite imagery suggest that PLA troops make forays into Indian territory here.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Eastern Ladakh, Galwan Valley clash
On 15 June, at patrolling point 14, Indian and Chinese troops clashed for six hours in a steep section of a mountainous region in the Galwan Valley. The immediate cause of the incident is unknown, with both sides releasing contradictory official statements in the aftermath. Beijing said that Indian troops had attacked Chinese troops first, while on 18 June The Hindu quoted a "senior government official" in the Ministry of External Affairs of India who said their troops were ambushed with dammed rivulets being released and boulders being thrown by Chinese troops.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Eastern Ladakh, Galwan Valley clash
The statement said this happened while they were patrolling a disputed area where Colonel Santosh Babu had destroyed a Chinese tent two days earlier. While soldiers carry firearms, due to decades of tradition designed to reduce the possibility of an escalation, agreements disallowed usage of firearms, but the Chinese side was reported to possess iron rods, clubs and batons wrapped in barbed wire and clubs embedded with nails. Hand-to-hand combat broke out, and the Indian soldiers called for reinforcements from a post about 2 miles (3.2 km) away. Eventually, up to 600 men were engaged in combat using stones, batons, iron rods, and other makeshift weapons. The fighting, which took place in near-total darkness, lasted for up to six hours. The Defence Ministry of India said in its 2020 year end review that China used "unorthodox weapons".


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Eastern Ladakh, Galwan Valley clash
The site of Galwan clash at the river bend. Also seen are the LAC claimed by China June 2020 in green, and the prevailing LAC marked by the US Office of the Geographer in red.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Eastern Ladakh, Galwan Valley clash
The fighting resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, mainly from the 16th Bihar Regiment including its commanding officer, Colonel Santosh Babu. While three Indian soldiers died on the spot, others died later due to injuries and hypothermia. Most of the soldiers who were killed fell to their deaths after losing their footing or being pushed off a ridge. The clash took place near the fast-flowing Galwan River, and some soldiers from both sides fell into a rivulet and were killed or injured. Bodies were later recovered from the Shyok River.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Eastern Ladakh, Galwan Valley clash
Several news outlets stated that 10 Indian soldiers, including 4 officers, were taken captive and then released by the Chinese military on 18 June. According to Gen VK Singh, an unconfirmed number of Chinese soldiers were also captured and later released by India. Some Indian soldiers had also been momentarily taken captive. According to Indian media sources, the mêlée resulted in 43 Chinese casualties. Per media reports based on sources, the Chinese side accepted a de-escalation meeting following the incident; a Chinese commanding officer was also killed in the mêlée.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Eastern Ladakh, Galwan Valley clash
The Chinese defence ministry confirmed the existence of Chinese casualties but refused to share the number. Reports emerged on Chinese internet that five Chinese soldiers died on 16 June, but the report was subsequently censored by the Chinese government. On 22 June, when asked about an Indian minister's assertion about the number of Chinese casualties, China declined to comment. Two days later on 24 June a Chinese spokesperson responded and called the remark from the Indian minister 'misinformation'. US intelligence reported that the PLA suffered 35 casualties.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Eastern Ladakh, Galwan Valley clash
Indian media reported that 10 Indian soldiers were released from Chinese custody in 17 June, including four officers. Responding to the reports, the Indian Army and the Chinese Foreign Ministry have both denied that any Indian personnel was taken into custody. On 19 February 2021, the Central Military Commission of China stated that four of its soldiers were posthumously awarded for their actions during the June 2020 clash with India at Galwan.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Eastern Ladakh, Galwan Valley clash
On 16 June, Chinese Colonel Zhang Shuili, spokesperson for the PLA's Western Command, said that the Indian military violated bilateral consensus causing "fierce physical confrontations and casualties", and that "the sovereignty over the Galwan Valley area had always belonged to China". On 18 June, India's Minister of External Affairs made a statement saying that China had "unilaterally tried to change the status quo" and that the violence was "premeditated and planned".


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Eastern Ladakh, Galwan Valley clash
The same day, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs said that the Chinese PLA had "invaded" the "contested area" between India and China. On 19 June, however, Prime Minister Modi declared that "neither have [China] intruded into our border, nor has any post been taken over by them", contradicting multiple previous statements by the Indian government. Later the Prime Minister's Office clarified that the Indian Prime Minister wanted to indicate the bravery of 16 Bihar Regiment who had foiled the attempt of the Chinese side. On 22 June, U.S. News & World Report reported that US intelligence agencies have assessed that the chief of China's Western Theater Command, Gen. Zhao Zongqi, had sanctioned the skirmish.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Eastern Ladakh, Galwan Valley clash
In the aftermath of the incident at Galwan, the Indian Army decided to equip soldiers along the border with lightweight riot gear as well as spiked clubs. On 20 June, India removed restriction on usage of firearms for Indian soldiers along the LAC. Satellite images analysed by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute show that China increased construction in the Galwan valley since the 15 June skirmish. The Chinese post that was destroyed by Indian troops on 15 June was reconstructed by 22 June, with an expansion in size and with more military movement. Other new defensive positions by both Indian and Chinese forces have also been built in the valley.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Eastern Ladakh, Depsang Plains
India–China tension at Depsang started months before the May 2020 standoff. Chinese presence, 18 km (11 mi) inside India's side of the LAC, 30 km (19 mi) south-east of DS-DBO road on the Y-junction or Bottleneck on Raki Nala at the Depsang Plains, was reported by Indian media on 25 June 2020, who described movements of troops, heavy vehicles and military equipment. The Chinese claim lines are 5 km further west of bottleneck. Indian Patrol Points (PP) 10, 11, 11A, 12 have been blocked by PLA movement and construction at the bottleneck in Depsang since March–April 2020. Intelligence inputs related to Depsang (PP10–13) on 31 August 2020 put Chinese control of India's perception of the LAC at about 900 square kilometres (350 sq mi).


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Ongoing construction of infrastructure
China and India have both been constructing infrastructure along the borders aimed at augmenting strategic capabilities. This includes infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific region. Following Chinese announcements of more dam construction on the Brahmaputra River, India said that it would need to build a dam along the river to mitigate the negative effects of the Chinese dam construction.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Ongoing construction of infrastructure
Amid the standoff, India decided to move approximately 12,000 additional workers to border regions to help complete Indian road projects. Around 8,000 workers would help Border Roads Organisation's (BRO) infrastructure project, Project Vijayak, in Ladakh while some workers would also be allocated to other nearby border areas. The workers would reach Ladakh between 15 June and 5 July. The first train with over 1600 workers left Jharkhand on 14 June 2020 for Udhampur, and from there the workers went on to assist BRO at the Sino-Indian border.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Ongoing construction of infrastructure
Apart from completing the DS–DBO Road the workers would also be assisting the BRO in the construction of other border roads. Starting from June, the government announced up to 170% increase in minimum wages for those working along the India-China border, with the highest increase in wages going to employees in Ladakh. Experts state that the development of Indian infrastructure along the border was one of the causes for the standoffs. Livemint reports "that while such asset creation might be adding to India's strategic capital, it is not furthering its human capital the same way." India has also installed surveillance equipment along the LAC.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Ongoing construction of infrastructure
Throughout the standoff China continues to build infrastructure near the LAC. Infrastructure includes roads, bridges, helipads and other military infrastructure such as camps. Optical fibre cables are being laid for its frontline troops at the faceoff sites in Pangong Tso and Gogra-Hot Springs area. Two new marinas at Pangong Tso have also been built. China has installed cameras, motion sensors and other surveillance equipment along the LAC. Airbases in Xinjiang and Tibet are being further developed; this includes airbases at Hotan, Kashgar, Gargunsa, Lhasa-Gonggar and Shigatse. At Kailash-Mansarovar, near the Lipulekh pass, China is building a surface-to-air missile site.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Ongoing construction of infrastructure
China is also developing a 5G network for its troops along the LAC. Reports of China deploying satellite jammers along the border was also reported. In July, Stratfor reported that the Chinese military had built 26 new temporary barracks and 22 new bases along the Indian border; "a mix of permanent and semi-permanent positions". In September, Stratfor reported that since the beginning of the standoff, the construction of four new heliports has started. The report by Sim Tack notes that this buildup by China in the Himalayas is similar to Chinese strategy in the South China Sea, a strategy that considerably increases the cost for those trying to oppose China's claims.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Ongoing construction of infrastructure
In November, China reportedly constructed Pangda village 2 km within Bhutan's territory and 9 km from the 2017 Doklam standoff site, to which the Bhutanese ambassador to India responded with "there is no Chinese village inside Bhutan." New Chinese ammunition bunkers were also reported 7 km from the 2017 site. A few weeks later, reports emerged of China having constructed three villages near Bum La pass. Lying within Chinese territory, the villages were reportedly being constructed while Chinese and Indian soldiers face off in eastern Ladakh. This was followed by reports in January 2021 of the construction of another village in disputed territory along the border in Upper Subansiri district.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Logistics
Following unsuccessful diplomatic talks and stalled military disengagement and de-escalation process, China and India prepared themselves to maintain sustained deployment in Ladakh throughout the winter. Temperatures in parts of Aksai Chin and Ladakh, a high altitude cold desert, drops as low as -40 °C. While some areas of the region see heavy snowfall, eastern Ladakh sees winds of up to 60 kmph. Shyok River in Pangong Tso freezes, as does water in pipes.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Logistics
A large part of the logistical requirements on the Indian side is in the form of fuel, oil and lubricants (FOLs). Oil is used for firing bukharis and cooking food as well as melting snow for drinking water and for barracks with heating systems. Arctic tents and winter clothing have been stocked. Nutritional requirements are met through provisions including 22 types of rice, pulses and wheat, 65 necessary food items, perishables such as vegetables; and high-calorie foods for deployment of 18,000 feet (5,500 m) and above. A single soldier requires approximately 800 kg of provisions to last through winter.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Logistics
Arms and ammunition have been stockpiled. Local resources in Ladakh are limited, so everything comes from the plains. Extra engineering forces have been tasked with providing additional barracks for the troops; by mid–November it was reported that the army has completed the construction of "habitat facilities" in Ladakh. According to former Army Deputy Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General J.P. Singh, winter deployment along the LAC will financially bleed India by forcing construction of new infrastructure, recurring expenses such as additional truck and aircraft movement, and purchase of off-the-shelf winter equipment; in turn affecting other expenses such as modernisation plans.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Logistics
Amidst the standoff, India completed military logistics sharing agreements with partners in the Quad— Japan, Australia and United States. DRDO has developed a number of products for troops in Ladakh such as a new buhkari called Him Tapaak. There has been considerable delays of several years in construction of border outposts for the ITBP.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Logistics
The People's Daily reported that the PLA has been constructing new infrastructure for the winter, such as pre-fabricated shelters, and conducting drills using drones to deliver hot meals to frontline troops. China is also seeking to set up military logistics facilities in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, War of attrition
Reports citing Indian army sources point to the daily attrition due to the heights and cold. This attrition is "within the expected ratio" and those who recover are redeployed. The Chinese side faces similar situations. Commentators are pointing out that this is becoming or has already become a war of attrition; this includes Yun Sun, a China specialist at the Stimson Center, and Srikanth Kondapalli, a professor of Chinese studies at JNU. Other border forces such as the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) also face attrition related challenges.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Incidents, Cyber and electronic
Following escalation in 2020, reports of cyber attacks increased. The Maharashtra cyber department suspected that a severe blackout in Mumbai on 13 October 2020 was caused by a malware attack. A February 2021 study by cybersecurity firm Recorded Future found that Chinese malware flowed into Indian electricity supply control systems after the skirmishes in 2020, though it did not validate a link between the malware and Mumbai power outage. At least 12 government organisations, mainly power utilities, were reported to have been attacked.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response
After the first melee took place, on 5–6 May 2020 at Pangong Tso, Foreign Secretary of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla called Sun Weidong, the Chinese ambassador to India. Then, Ajit Doval reportedly talked to a top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi. On 28 May, in a press conference, Indian spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Anurag Srivastava, maintained that there were enough bilateral mechanisms to solve border disputes diplomatically. (However, some critics say that these agreements are "deeply flawed".)


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response
The Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) points have seen rounds of military talks in May–June; first between colonels, then between brigadiers, and then finally, on 2 June, more than three rounds between major generals. All these talks were unsuccessful. Some Indian military sources said that India was still unclear with China's demands. "When one wants to stall a process, one makes absurd demands...they purposefully made some unreasonable demands", said the sources. On 6 June, commanders' talks took place at Chushul-Moldo BPM. The talks involved the Indian commander of Leh-headquartered XIV Corps, Lt Gen Harinder Singh, and the Chinese commander of the Tibet Military District (South Xinjiang Military Region) Maj Gen Liu Lin.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response
On 17 June 2020, Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation regarding the Galwan skirmish, giving a firm message directed at China over the deaths of Indian soldiers. The first communication since the start of the border dispute between the foreign ministers of China, Wang Yi and of India, S Jaishankar also happened after the Galwan skirmish. Jaishankar accused the Chinese actions in Galwan to be "pre-meditated and planned". On 20 June, Chinese social media platform WeChat removed the Indian Prime Minister's remarks on the Galwan skirmish, which was uploaded by the Indian Embassy in China.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response
The official statements of the Ministry of External Affairs were also removed. WeChat said that it removed the speech and statements because they divulged in state secrets and endangered national security. The MEA spokesperson's statement on the incident was also removed from Weibo. Following this, the Indian embassy in China issued a clarification on its Weibo account that the post wasn't removed by them, and re-published a screenshot of the statement in Chinese. On 1 July, Prime Minister Modi quit the Chinese social media platform Weibo.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response
On 3 July, during a surprise visit to military posts in Ladakh, Prime Minister Modi, said in a speech that the "age of expansionism" is over and history has revealed that "expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to turn back"; the media noted that this was in reference to Beijing.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response
The second round of commanders' meeting was on 22 June. In an 11-hour meeting, the commanders worked out a disengagement outline. On 24 June, this disengagement was then diplomatically acknowledged by both sides during the virtual meeting of the WMCC. Chinese spokesperson, Zhao Lijian said that India "agreed to and withdrew its cross-border personnel in the Galwan Valley and dismantled the crossing facilities in accordance with China's request".


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response
The third round of commanders' talks were held on 30 June; India reiterated its demand for the pullback of the Chinese troops from all key areas including Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley and the Depsang plains and the restoration of status quo ante in April whereas China emphasised that the military buildup in the region should be reduced. Following the talks, it was reported that Chinese vehicles were seen withdrawing from the Galwan clash point, as well as from Hot Springs and Gogra.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response, Disengagement and de-escalation efforts
After earlier unsuccessful attempts at complete disengagement, a discussion scheduled for 5 July, was held between special representatives National Security Advisor of India, Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, where it was decided that both Indian and Chinese troops would move back 1.8 km from the patrolling point PP 14 (the 15 June clash site in the Galwan valley). It was reported that both the troops moved back around 1.5 to 2 km from the PP 14 to create a buffer zone, which would be off-limits for foot patrolling by them for the next 30 days. Chinese troop fully moved out of the clash site, along with thinning down of troops at Hot Springs and Gogra. However, the Chinese troops did not withdraw from the Pangong Tso, where they entered 8 km inside Indian patrolling territory.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response, Disengagement and de-escalation efforts
On 25 July, Indian media reported a completion of disengagement at Galwan, Hot Springs and Gogra. On 30 July, shortly after the Chinese Defence Ministry claimed that gradual disengagement and de-escalation was taking place; India told China that the disengagement process is not as yet complete, with Indian Army sources saying that "there has been no positive movement on the ground for more than two weeks now" and that disengagement at Gogra and Pangong Tso was remaining.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response, Disengagement and de-escalation efforts
On 30 July, the Chinese ambassador Sun Weidong claimed the process of clarifying the LAC could not continue because unilateral delimitations of the LAC cause more disputes. The fourth round of corps-commander talks took place on 14 July, while the fifth round of talks were on 2 August. On 24 July diplomatic talks were held between the two countries with regard to disengagement. Following the fifth round of talks, the China Study Group convened and found China's "mutual and equal" disengagement proposal at Pangong Tso unacceptable.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response, Disengagement and de-escalation efforts
On day 100 of the border tensions The Week reported a statement from a defence official based in the Secretariat Building in New Delhi, "Indian military planners believe that things seem to be out of their control. Now, only a political intervention can resolve the issue. Military side has done enough with repeated marathon discussions." On 27 August, former Foreign Secretary of India, Shyam Saran said "India needs to be patient [...] citing the example of Somdorong Chu in 1987 which took seven years to resolve".


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response, Disengagement and de-escalation efforts
Chinese General Wei Fenghe and his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh held a talk, on 4 September in Moscow, on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting. On 10 September, the foreign affairs ministers of China and India met in Moscow. Five points were agreed upon in a joint statement, including new CBMs between the two countries. On 21 September, the sixth commander-level meeting took place at Chushul-Moldo BPM.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response, Disengagement and de-escalation efforts
The Indian delegation consisted of Lt Gen Harinder Singh, Lt Gen P G K  Menon, two major generals, four brigadiers and other officers, the chief of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and for the first time, a Ministry of External Affairs representative. Following the 14-hour talks, a joint statement was released, which included both sides having agreed to "stop sending more troops to the frontline". On 30 September, the fifth round of diplomatic talks took place; this was the 19th meeting of the WMCC.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response, Disengagement and de-escalation efforts
On 13 October, the seventh round of military commanders talks in Chushul took place; while the talks were called positive, on ground issues and tensions remain. On 15 October, Jaishankar said that the talks between India and China to resolve the standoff are "confidential" and shouldn't be "prejudged". During the eighth round of corps-commander-level talks on 6 November the Chinese side put forward a proposal for de-escalation, disengagement and de-induction. The ninth round of talks were in January 2021, the tenth in February 2021, and the eleventh in April 2021. In February 2021, disengagement from Pangong Tso was reported. On 1 August 2021 a new military hotline was set up.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response, Potential return to status quo ante
After the partial disengagement by both sides following the ministry-level discussion in July 2020, several Indian defence analysts pointed out the agreement is a failure of status quo ante bellum that existed until April 2020 and that return to status quo was unlikely. A 'mutual pullback agreement' would result in further loss of territory for India, a buffer zone entirely in Indian territory. Furthermore, Indian sources have pointed out that the Chinese reluctance of disengagement from the bottleneck 'Y' junction in Depsang plains and finger 4 of Pangong Tso where Chinese forces further advanced inside of Indian claimed territory and constructed military establishments is an impediment to returning to the status quo ante.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response, Linkage of border tension and bilateral relations
In an interview on 2 August 2020, the Indian External Affairs Minister said to the Times of India, "the state of the border and the future of our ties cannot be separated". On 4 August, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said that the two countries should "make sure differences do not escalate into disputes" and that China hopes India will work with them in maintaining the "overall interests of bilateral relations."


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response, Linkage of border tension and bilateral relations
On 26 August, Chinese Ambassador Weidong said that China hoped India would not mix the functioning of Confucius Institutes with the border tensions — but a "brief moment" in history. However India maintained that the border tensions and normal relations between the two countries are linked. European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) states that while China has tried to delink the border issue and other bilateral relations, "India has now been bitten enough times to realize the futility, even counter-productivity, of dealing with the border issue in isolation."


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response, India's statements about transgressions, incursions, intrusions and infiltration
On 19 June 2020, during the all-party meet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was translated as saying, "No one has entered Indian territory or captured any military post". In the Upper House of the Indian Parliament, on 16 September 2020, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, in response to a question from a BJP MP about infiltrations, said in a written reply that "since February there had been 47 cases of attempted infiltration along the India-Pakistan border" and  "no infiltration has been reported along India-China border during the last six months." On 15 September 2020, in the Parliament of India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said "China made transgression attempts on Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector. This includes Kongka, Gogra, and the north bank of Pangong Lake."


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response, Official statements on territorial sovereignty
On 29 September 2020, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that China does not recognize the "illegal" Union Territory of Ladakh. In other diplomatic statements, on 8 September and then again on 13 October, China repeated that they have never recognized the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. China has routinely objected to Indian leaders visiting Arunachal Pradesh over the years. Before the national day of Taiwan on 10 October 2020, Che inese embassy in New Delhi issued guidelines for the Indian media over coverage of the national day.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Diplomatic response, Official statements on territorial sovereignty
On 15 October India told China not to comment on India's internal matters, referring to China's repeated insistence on commenting upon its infrastructure as being the cause for border tensions. At a political as well as an individual level, statements and actions related to the territorial sovereignty of Tibet, Gilgit, Baltistan, Aksai Chin and Shaksgam Valley have also been made. With regard to a new Chinese village near Longju in disputed territory Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson stated in January 2021 "...China's normal construction on its own territory is entirely a matter of sovereignty".


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Status of standoff and skirmishes, Pangong Tso
Complete disengagement from Pangong Lake north and south bank took place in February 2021. Part of the disengagement deal at Pangong Lake was the withdrawal of Indian troops from positions they had taken control of 29 and 30 August in the Chushul sector and Kailash Range overlooking Chinese fixtures at Spanggur Gap and Spanggur Tso.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Status of standoff and skirmishes, Gogra-Hot Springs
India reported a change in status quo in early May 2020. From May into early June, disengagement efforts at areas including Gogra and Hot Springs was underway. On 9 June 2020, PLA moved back 2 km at Hot Springs. However further de-escalation did not continue following skirmishes in other areas, including the 15/16 June skirmish which caused tensions. On 24 June 2020, disengagement in general was again agreed upon. Through early July 2020, disengagement was underway, and on 25 July 2020, India Today and ANI wrote of the completion of disengagement at locations in Hot Springs and Gogra.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Status of standoff and skirmishes, Gogra-Hot Springs
In February 2021, India Today, as per sources and officials, disengagement at other locations of Hot Springs and Gogra was yet to be discussed. Following the twelfth military commanders talks, disengagement at Gogra post (PP 17A) took place on 4 and 5 August 2021. Indian analysts have postulated that the buffer zone created at PP 17A has resulted in the LAC shifting westwards. While the joint statement stated that "All temporary structures and other allied infrastructure created in the area by both sides have been dismantled and mutually verified", analysts pointed out that Chinese structures are still visible through satellite imagery.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India
Following the Galwan clash, Chinese flags and effigies of paramount leader Xi Jinping were burned in various places across India and various groups registered their protests in different ways. On 3 October 2020, the Indian Army revealed a memorial to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in Galwan on 15 June during Operation Snow Leopard. The inscription on the memorial reads:


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India
On June 15, 2020 at Galwan Valley, Col B Santosh Babu Commanding Officer, 16 Bihar led the Quick Reaction Force of 16 Bihar and attached troops tasked to evict the PLA OP from Gen AY Nala and move further to Patrolling Point 14. The column successfully evicted the PLA OP from Y Nala and reached PP 14 where a fierce skirmish broke out between the IA and PLA troops. Col B Santosh Babu led from the front and his troops fought gallantly in hand-to-hand combat, causing heavy casualties to the PLA. In the ensuing fight twenty "Gallants of Galwan" achieved martyrdom.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India
The memorial has been built at KM-120 post on the DSDBO Road. The names of those killed in the Galwan Valley clash have been inscribed on the National War Memorial in New Delhi. Special Frontier Force company leader Nyima Tenzin was given a public funeral with a 21-gun salute in Ladakh on 7 September 2020. Nyima Tenzin had died after stepping on a 1962 war mine. Tenzin's body was wrapped in both the Indian and Tibetan flags.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India
Amidst the standoff, during September and October, DRDO tested "10 missiles in 35 days", with Indian media reporting a total of at least 12 missiles or systems being fired. This included the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle and Rudram-1, an air-to-surface anti-radiation missile. The Indian media reported that the DRDO missile testing was considered significant by senior DRDO officials as it was undertaken against the backdrop of the standoff with China. However it was also noted that COVID-19 had caused delays in previous tests, which were being conducted now. Amidst the standoff India decided to expand the scope for the teaching of Tibetology to its military officers.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India
What is your view on Modi govt's response to Chinese aggression?


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India
Results of an Economic Times online survey polling 16,000 people (September 2020)


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Reactionary military procurement
The skirmishes and standoff has caused reactionary purchases by India. This includes the Indian Air Force starting the process for emergency procurement of 12 Sukhoi-30 MKI and 21 Mikoyan MiG-29 from Russia. In July, ThePrint reported that post Galwan, the Indian Armed Forces were working on over 100 emergency procurement contracts. In July it was reported that India was looking for lightweight tanks that could be used in Ladakh. While lightweights tanks for Ladakh has been noted since 2009, the 2020 China tensions created a sense of urgency.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Reactionary military procurement
Russia offered its Sprut SDM1 lightweight tanks while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was in Russia in June. On 14 September 2020, media reports claimed that the F-15EX fighter jet had been offered to India. On 28 September 2020, the Defence Acquisition Council, Ministry of Defence, under fast-tracked procurement, ordered an additional 72,400 SIG 716 for troops in Ladakh; the first batch of SIGs had been ordered in 2019 and have already been delivered to the army. Emergency purchases also included DRDO Smart Anti Airfield Weapons under the Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) category.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Economic sanctions
Initially, India's economic response to China was mainly restricted to patriotic programs on news channels and social media publicity appeals, with very little actual impact on businesses and sales. In May, in response to the border skirmishes, Sonam Wangchuk appealed to Indians to use "wallet power" and boycott Chinese products. This appeal was covered by major media houses and supported by various celebrities.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Economic sanctions
Following the Galwan Valley clash on 15 June 2020, there were calls across India to boycott Chinese goods. The Indian Railways cancelled a contract with a Chinese firm, while the Department of Telecommunication notified BSNL not to use any Chinese made product in upgradations. Mumbai cancelled a monorail contract where the only bidders were Chinese companies; and alternatively said it would focus on finding an Indian technological partner instead. Numerous Chinese contractors and firms were under enhanced scrutiny following the 2020 border friction. Chinese imports began undergoing through additional checks at Indian customs.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Economic sanctions
In retaliation, customs in China and Hong Kong held up Indian exports. There were also calls for making sure Chinese companies do not have access to strategic markets in India. Swadeshi Jagaran Manch said that if the government was serious about making India self-reliant, Chinese companies should not be given projects such as the Delhi-Meerut RRTS. (However, in the first week of 2021, reports emerged that a Chinese firm had been awarded a contract for construction of 5.6 km of the Delhi-Meerut RRTS.)


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Economic sanctions
Days later, the Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that Chinese firms would be banned from road projects in India. The Haryana government cancelled a tender related to a power project in which Chinese firms had put in bid. The Uttar Pradesh government Special Task Force personnel were given orders to delete 52 apps including TikTok and WeChat for security reasons while officials in Madhya Pradesh Police were given an advisory for the same.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Economic sanctions
Numerous Indian government officials said that border tensions would have no impact on trade between the two countries. Amid the increased visibility of calls for boycotting Chinese goods in the aftermath of the Galwan incidents, numerous industry analysts warned that a boycott would be counter-productive for India, would send out the wrong message to trade partners, and would have very limited impact on China, since both bilaterally as well as globally India is comparatively a much smaller trade power.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Economic sanctions
Experts also stated that while the boycott campaign was a good initiative, replacement products should be available in the immediate future too. An example taken was the pharmaceutical industry in India which meets 70% of its active pharmaceutical ingredient requirements from China. Dumping in this sector is being scrutinized. By the end of June, some analysts agreed that the border tensions between India and China would give the Make in India campaign a boost and increase the pace of achieving self-reliance in some sectors.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Economic sanctions
The issue of Chinese materials in Indian Army bulletproof vests was again raised in June after the Galwan incidents. V.K. Saraswat, a NITI Aayog member and former DRDO chief, said that it was due to the quality and the pricing that Chinese material was being used instead of Indian products. Bullet-proof vests ordered by the government in 2019 had up to 40% Chinese material. On 20 June, it was reported that development of an Indian bulletproof vest, the "Sarvatra Kavach", that is 100% made in India, is near completion.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Economic sanctions
The Maharashtra government put ₹5,000 crore (US$700 million) worth of Chinese projects on hold. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade brought out a list of over a 1000 Made in China goods on which the Government of India has sought comments for imposing import restrictions. Previously, the Department had asked private companies to submit a list of Chinese imports. Incidents in Ladakh are also being taken as additional reasons to keep India away from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in which China has a big role.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Economic sanctions
Sales of Chinese smartphones in India were not affected in the immediate aftermath of the skirmishes, despite calls for a boycott. The latest model of Chinese smartphone company OnePlus sold out within minutes in India on 18 June, two days after the Galwan clash. Xiaomi India's managing director said that the social media backlash would not affect sales, adding that Xiaomi handsets are "more Indian than Indian handset companies" and that even many non-Chinese phones, people including American handsets, are made in and imported from China.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Economic sanctions
Following this, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), an apex traders body in India, made a statement sharply criticising Xiaomi's managing director saying that he was "trying to please his Chinese masters by downplaying the mood of the nation". TTK Prestige, India's largest kitchen appliances maker, said it would stop all imports from China from 30 September onwards. On 23 June, the government had ordered all e-commerce companies to show the 'country of origin' for products. In July, Hero Cycles cancelled ₹900 crore (US$130 million) worth of projects with China as part of their "commitment to boycott Chinese products".


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Economic sanctions
Amidst the border situation in early August, the premier cricket league in India, Indian Premier League (IPL), decided to retain Chinese sponsors including the title sponsor VIVO. After facing a lot of criticism for this on various fronts, VIVO pulled out itself, supposedly also due to finance issues as well as the border tensions. The sponsorship deal was worth $293 m. By 15 October, the Indian government had put restrictions on more imports from China including television sets, tyres and air conditioners.


2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, Reactions, India, Economic sanctions
On 29 June, the Indian government banned 59 Chinese mobile applications including TikTok, WeChat, UC Browser, SHAREit and Baidu Maps. PRC responded with blocking Indian newspapers and websites in mainland China. Following the initial ban, in September, the Government of India further banned 118 more Chinese apps including popular gaming app, PUBG Mobile, citing the sovereignty and integrity of the country. In November, the fourth ban list was released, listing 43 more apps including Alibaba Group's AliExpress, Alipay Cashier and Alibaba Workbench. Following the fourth ban list, 200 plus Chinese apps had been banned by the Indian government, including apps owned by Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu, Sina and Bytedance.