Recent satellite imagery reveals China’s aggressive infrastructure build-up near the Pangong Tso buffer zone, reinforcing territorial claims following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. This activity, while on China’s side of the buffer, raises concerns about the fragility of disengagement agreements and signals a need for India to expedite its own infrastructure developments to match Beijing’s rapid pace. India’s Operation Sindoor indicates a tactical shift, with troop redeployments enhancing readiness, while ongoing diplomatic talks seek to manage tensions. As China employs its “salami-slicing” strategy, India’s focus on indigenous capabilities and international partnerships, particularly with allies like the US, is crucial for maintaining stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and ensuring that recent calm does not devolve into renewed conflict.