How nuclear World War 3 is serious threat if India and China ‘fist fights’ escalate conflict and allies get dragged in

THERE are growing fears military clashes along the India-China border could spark a nuclear World War 3.

A fire fight on Monday night left multiple Indian troops dead and has pushed tensions between the two mega-states to breaking point.

And in a chilling warning, India's PM Narendra Modi vowed those killed in the Galvan Valley will not die in vain.

In response China has said it will ";crush" any military aggression from its neighbour.

Now there are genuine concerns the regional dispute between the two rival nuclear powers could erupt into a global conflict.

And that could see America - which has just signed a £3bn arms deal with ally India - dragged into the bloodshed.

New Delhi has grown closer to the US in recent years and Washington now calls India a "major defence partner".

The warm welcome afforded to President Trump in India also reflects the extent to which he has found new friends in the region.

Meanwhile, US-China relations have been are reaching an all-time low in the wake of a trade war and the coronavirus pandemic.

China, on the other hand, can count India's long-time enemy Pakistan as a very close friend and military partner.

Beijing - which calls Pakistan its "iron brother" - has become its largest supplier of arms and its third-largest trading partner.

The pair are curently involved in several military projects including the development of JF-17 Thunder fighter plane.

Chinese and Pakistani troops also conduct joint regular training sessions in the mountainous region.

Tensions have been growing along the border since the spring when China deployed thousands of troops as well as artillery and vehicles.

Analysts say the soldiers were sent there in an attempt to stop India increasing its own military presence in the area.