Border disputes have gripped this Himalayan region for decades. The 2017 China–India border standoff took place over the Doklam pass on the tri-junction between China, India and Bhutan, situated roughly 54 km (33.55 mi) west of Pakyong Airport. In June 2020, twenty Indian troops were killed in a skirmish in the Ladakh area's Galwan Valley. Chinese and Indian troops clashed again near Laku Na, northern Sikkim, in January 2021 with reports of injuries on both sides.