China-India tensions remain unchanged a year after the standoff in Ladakh.

 China-India tensions remain unchanged a year after the standoff in Ladakh.

As he walked along the mountain crest, carrying ammunition and other necessities, the 62-year-old veteran, who owns a tiny convenience store in Merak, feared for his life. When tensions between the two armies rose rapidly last year, Mr Dorjay and hundreds of others from neighbouring villages were recruited.

"We got too close to the Chinese, and we were afraid they were going to target us," he explained.

India and China were accused of invading each other's territory in Ladakh a year ago. Since a battle in 1962, most of the estimated 3,440-kilometer border has been unclear, with both countries' interpretations of their line differing.

According to Indian media, the conflict erupted after Chinese forces erected tents, built trenches, and transferred heavy equipment several kilometers into what India considered its territory.

The Indian army, caught off guard by China's surprise maneuver, responded by sending tens of thousands of additional troops and munitions to Ladakh. In June, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a horrific fight in the Galwan district, heightening tensions. China later stated that four of its servicemen had died in the fighting.

Since then, visitors to the lake have been few and far between, with the BBC being one of the few media outlets to reach settlements like Merak, which is home to roughly 350 people, many of whom are nomads. However, life carries on as usual in this village, with women dressed in traditional garb tending to yaks and pashmina goats, and the village appears to be relatively unaffected by the coronavirus outbreak.