WW3 could be sparked by further border disputes between China and India. Deputy director at The Asia Program, Michael Kugelman warned China wants to teach India a lesson in the border disputes. During an interview with Express.co.uk, Mr Kugelman said things could escalate between the two nations if heavier weaponry is used that results in fatalities.

He noted talks of de-escalation would be difficult due to the core desires of both sides.

Mr Kugelman said: “I think that right now each side has core demands that the other side is unlikely to give into.

“The Chinese side has long been demanding that India stop building these larger roads on its side of the border that China finds threatening because they allow India to have power.

“On the flip side, India has been demanding that China remove any of its forces that are in territories India considers its own.”

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Mr Kugelman went into detail of how these core issues would resurface in any talks of de-escalation.

He said: “If you have talks and they are inconclusive and those demands are not addressed and each side continues to do what really aggrieves the other, I think that is what could lead to the type of escalation that could lead to something worse.

“If you have more Chinese troops come into India to test India and to try and teach them a lesson, I think the next time that happens there is a strong likelihood that you wouldn’t just have the two sides punching and brawling with each other.”

Mr Kugelman warned if this were to occur things could quickly spiral out of control.

Mr Kugelman also explained in the event of a full-on conflict between the two nations, India would struggle to match China’s military power.

Despite this, India is under significant pressure to showcase its strength when provoked by China.

Mr Kugelman said in the event of a full conflict, the Indian government may take more covert steps to level the playing field.

This included causing disruption in Pakistan and sponsoring aggressors to target Chinese targets in the country.