US Senator Claims China Used Electromagnetic Weapon in Galwan Clash

US Senator Bill Hagerty has sparked controversy with a startling claim that China deployed an electromagnetic weapon to “literally melt Indian soldiers” during a border dispute with India, potentially linked to the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. The Republican senator from Tennessee made this bizarre allegation during a discussion on US-India relations, barely two weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the SCO Summit in Tianjin in August 2025. This breaking news has ignited heated debates on social media, with hashtags like #GalwanClash and #ChinaWeapon trending on X, as analysts and the public question the validity of Hagerty’s claims amid strained India-US-China relations.

Context of Hagerty’s Allegation

Senator Bill Hagerty’s remarks came during a broader conversation about shifting international alliances, particularly in the context of India-China relations and recent tensions in India-US trade ties. Hagerty suggested that China used an advanced electromagnetic weapon during a border skirmish with India, possibly referring to the deadly Galwan Valley clash of June 2020. However, he stopped short of explicitly naming the incident, leading to speculation about the exact event he referenced. The claim, described as “bizarre” by multiple reports, has not been substantiated by public military records or independent sources, raising questions about its credibility. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has not issued an official response, further fueling debates about the validity of the allegation.

The timing of Hagerty’s statement is significant, as it follows a high-profile meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin in August 2025. The summit discussions focused on de-escalating tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and fostering bilateral cooperation. Hagerty’s remarks, made in the context of highlighting the “long history of grievances and distrust” between India and China, appear to underscore concerns in Washington about India’s growing engagement with China, especially amid strained US-India trade relations following former President Donald Trump’s imposition of a 50% tariff on Indian goods.

Revisiting the Galwan Valley Clash of 2020

The Galwan Valley clash, which occurred on June 15, 2020, marked a low point in India-China relations, representing the first deadly confrontation along their disputed border in 45 years. The seven-hour skirmish along the LAC in eastern Ladakh resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, including a commanding officer, Colonel Santosh Babu. While China initially withheld details of its casualties, later reports confirmed four Chinese soldiers were killed, though Indian and US intelligence suggested Chinese losses could have been higher, possibly exceeding 40. The clash involved brutal hand-to-hand combat, with soldiers using stones, batons, and improvised weapons, as a 1996 bilateral agreement prohibited the use of firearms and explosives in the region.

The incident stemmed from tensions over Chinese objections to Indian road construction in the Galwan Valley, which Beijing claimed as its territory. The confrontation took place in a steep, mountainous region near the fast-flowing Galwan River, where some soldiers fell to their deaths or succumbed to injuries and hypothermia. Indian media reported that 10 Indian soldiers, including four officers, were briefly taken captive by Chinese forces and released on June 17, 2020, though both sides denied holding prisoners. The clash severely strained bilateral ties, leading to a prolonged military standoff and multiple rounds of diplomatic and military talks to disengage troops and restore stability along the LAC.

Previous Claims of Electromagnetic Weapons

Hagerty’s claim echoes earlier reports from 2020, when Chinese academic Jin Canrong, a professor at Renmin University in Beijing, alleged that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) used microwave weapons to dislodge Indian troops from strategic hilltops in Ladakh. According to Jin, these weapons, which emit high-frequency electromagnetic radiation to heat human skin, caused Indian soldiers to vomit and retreat, allowing China to reclaim positions without violating the no-firearms agreement. The Indian Army dismissed these claims as “fake” and “baseless,” with no independent verification supporting Jin’s assertions. Experts noted that the described symptoms, such as nausea, were inconsistent with known effects of microwave weapons like the US-developed Active Denial System, which causes a burning sensation but not vomiting.

The concept of electromagnetic or microwave weapons is not new. These non-lethal directed-energy weapons are designed to disrupt human or electronic targets without causing permanent harm, though concerns persist about their long-term effects, including potential eye damage or carcinogenic risks. China has reportedly invested in such technologies for use in conflict zones like the South China Sea, but no credible evidence confirms their deployment in the Galwan clash. Hagerty’s use of the phrase “literally melt” appears to be an exaggeration, as no military or medical records document such extreme effects, prompting skepticism from defense analysts and Indian officials alike.

India-China Relations Post-Galwan

The Galwan clash plunged India-China relations to their lowest point in decades, prompting both nations to deploy thousands of troops, tanks, and artillery along the LAC. The standoff, which began in May 2020, saw additional skirmishes at locations like Pangong Tso and Gogra-Hot Springs, with both sides accusing each other of violating the LAC. Diplomatic efforts, including 12 rounds of corps commander-level talks, led to partial disengagements, such as troop withdrawals from Pangong Tso in February 2021. The recent SCO Summit meeting between Modi and Xi signaled a renewed push for dialogue, with both leaders agreeing to form working groups to address ongoing border tensions. Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong emphasized the importance of normalized border management, highlighting the delicate balance in bilateral ties.

Despite these efforts, mistrust persists, fueled by China’s infrastructure development in disputed areas and India’s strategic countermeasures, such as deploying warships to the South China Sea post-Galwan. The Indian government has maintained that restoring the pre-2020 status quo along the LAC is essential for full normalization of ties. Hagerty’s claim risks complicating these efforts, as it could reignite public and political sensitivities in India, where the Galwan clash remains a deeply emotive issue. Social media reactions on X reflect this sentiment, with users like @Chellaney criticizing narratives that oversimplify the conflict’s origins, pointing instead to China’s “stealthy land grabs” in April 2020 as the root cause.

India-US Relations and Trade Tensions

Hagerty’s remarks must also be viewed in the context of strained India-US relations, exacerbated by former President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty for India’s purchase of Russian oil. Announced in August 2025, the tariffs sparked concerns about a trade war, with India retaliating by threatening tariffs on US imports. Trump’s initial comment that the US had “lost India to darkest China” drew sharp criticism, but he later softened his stance, emphasizing his friendship with Modi and committing to resolve trade barriers. On September 8, 2025, Trump announced plans for further talks with India, signaling a desire to mend ties with a key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

The tariff dispute has heightened Washington’s scrutiny of India’s foreign policy, particularly its balancing act between the US, China, and Russia. Hagerty’s claim about China’s alleged use of electromagnetic weapons appears to be a strategic jab at Beijing, aimed at underscoring its military assertiveness while questioning India’s growing engagement with China. However, the lack of evidence supporting the claim risks undermining its impact, with critics on X labeling it as inflammatory and unverified. Google Trends data shows a spike in searches for “Galwan clash” and “electromagnetic weapon,” reflecting public curiosity and skepticism about the senator’s allegations.

Global Reactions and Strategic Implications

The international community has reacted cautiously to Hagerty’s claim, with no official statements from India or China corroborating the use of electromagnetic weapons. Defense experts suggest that such claims, if true, would represent a significant escalation in military technology deployment, potentially altering the dynamics of border conflicts. However, the absence of concrete evidence and the Indian Army’s prior dismissal of similar allegations in 2020 cast doubt on the senator’s narrative. Analysts argue that Hagerty’s statement may be part of a broader US strategy to counter China’s growing influence in Asia, particularly as India navigates its role as a key player in the Quad alliance alongside the US, Japan, and Australia.

The claim has also reignited discussions about the militarization of the LAC, with reports of China’s continued infrastructure development and India’s efforts to bolster its border defenses. The strategic importance of the Galwan Valley, located near Aksai Chin—a region claimed by India but controlled by China—underscores the high stakes of the dispute. As both nations work toward de-escalation, Hagerty’s remarks could complicate diplomatic efforts, particularly if they fuel nationalist sentiments in India. The Indian public, still sensitive to the loss of 20 soldiers in 2020, has expressed mixed reactions on X, with some users demanding clarity from the government and others dismissing the claim as political posturing by a US senator.