The Galwan river, the site of a clash in June 2020, is located near the border of:

The Galwan river flows from the Aksai Chin region, under China's control, into Ladakh, where it joins the Shyok river. The Galwan Valley lies along the Line of Actual Control between India and China.

About the Galwan river:

• It rises in the Aksai Chin area and flows west for about 80 km to join the Shyok, a tributary of the Indus, in eastern Ladakh.
• It is named after Ghulam Rasul Galwan, a Ladakhi explorer and guide who explored the area in the late 19th century and wrote about his journeys.

The 2020 clash:

• In April-May 2020, Chinese troops moved into several areas along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, leading to a standoff.
• On the night of 15 June 2020, a violent clash took place in the Galwan Valley.

Twenty Indian soldiers, including Colonel B. Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of 16 Bihar Regiment, lost their lives. China later admitted to four deaths, though other estimates were higher.

It was the first deadly clash between the two armies in decades.

The soldiers fought with clubs, stones and fists, since agreements discourage the use of firearms near the LAC.

Colonel Santosh Babu was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.

Disengagement:

• After many rounds of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides disengaged from Galwan, Gogra-Hot Springs and other friction points and, finally, Depsang and Demchok (in October 2024).
• Buffer zones were created in some areas.

Strategic importance:

The Galwan Valley overlooks the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi road, India's key road to the northern edge of Ladakh near the Karakoram Pass.

Remembering the soldiers:

A war memorial has been built at Galwan, and the Galwan heroes are honoured every year on 15 June.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Galwan river is not on the India-Pakistan, India-Nepal or China-Bhutan border.