The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is at the forefront of China’s efforts to defend its extensive land border with India and maintain firm control over Tibet. As both China and India have expanded their respective infrastructural and military basing networks along the Line of Actual Control (the sectors of the Sino-Indian border where demarcation remains disputed), significant escalations have occurred, most notably the Doklam Standoff in mid-2017 and the Galwan Valley skirmish in June 2020. For the PLA, providing logistical support and sustainment to troops stationed on the “roof of the world” is a longstanding challenge. Nevertheless, despite the generally difficult geography on the Chinese side of the border, more effective logistical support appears to remain an enduring advantage for the PLA over the Indian Armed Forces.
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