evidence: In recent years, India and China have had two major standoffs. The first on the Depsang Plains in April 2013, where instead of patrolling a disputed area, the Chinese changed their behavior and established a camp at a key location that would have prevented Indian patrols from moving in the area. In 2014, the problem was in the Chumur area of Ladakh, and it occurred, significantly, during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to New Delhi. Both were terminated through diplomacy. [...] Third, this standoff has already attained a certain distinctiveness, if only because of its longevity. Indeed, in recent years such incidents—such as the Chumar Valley showdown in 2014—lasted a few weeks, at most. The last time an LAC-related crisis dragged on for this long was in 1987, during the Sumdorong Chu crisis. Naturally, this is a very different situation—and analysts such as the Indian Express’ Sushant Singh are right to caution against drawing too many historic parallels. Nevertheless, the duration of the altercation is cause for concern. There may be a temptation, particularly on the Indian side, to let the crisis drag on until the early winter—whether for meteorological reasons (once the first snowstorms set in, it will be difficult for the Chinese to pursue their construction activities) or for political ones (there is a perception that President Xi Jinping may be more amenable to compromise following the conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party). There could be certain risks, however, tied to letting such tensions simmer for months on end.