Military post, two bridges and more: China is building permanent structures along India border
China's presence at the disputed border with India in the Himalayas has not waned. In fact, if anything, it seems to be becoming stronger. A new report claims, citing satellite imagery, that China has finished building a military outpost near Pangong Tso or Pangong lake.
The lake spans eastern Ladakh and west Tibet. This structure, however, is squarely located within Chinese-occupied region in Ladakh.
Details on the structure: The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) believes that the structure is big enough to house an entire military division and act as headquarters.
- The facility is said to be just 6 km from the LAC.
Here's how the CSIS report describes the structure:
When did the changes take place? We need to understand that these structures didn't just appear out of thin air one day and also that they have a specific purpose, which is unlikely to be in India's interests.
- This before and after picture of June 2020 and October 2022 show the massive Chinese PLA infrastructure coming up in the years soon after the Galwan skirmish (slide right for the current image and slide left for the before image).
- The Galwan valley clashes between Indian and Chinese troops took place on June 15, 2020.
- CSIS reports that the Chinese PLA had set up a temporary military base in May 2020 before razing it down and constructing a more permanent structure in June 2020.
Why does it matter? The Chinese military build-up near the LAC is a significant threat for India's national security and ability to respond to future conflicts.
- CSIS says that the armoured vehicles, troops and air defence weapons can rush to PLA's aid near the LAC or the Pangong lake in case of a conflict with India.
- Remember that in the 2020 skirmish, the Chinese and Indian sides fought entirely with stones and sticks; with the Chinese side reportedly getting creative with the sticks and wrapping them in barbed wires.
- This was because under the agreements between India and China signed in 1996 and 2005, neither side was allowed to use firearms or explosives within two kilometers of either side of the LAC.
- However, the Indian government changed the rules after the Galwan clashes, allowing the Indian Army to use firearms under "extraordinary circumstances".
Not the only infrastructure build-up: There is at least one new radome, an unknown structure near the radome and two new bridges are coming up on the Chinese side of the PLA.
FYI: A radome is a dome-like weatherproof enclosure usually used to house a radar antenna.
- The new radome is coming up nearly 6 km east of the above-mentioned HQ facility, atop a mountain peak. It is uncertain what's inside the radome, it could be used for satellite communications.
- Satellite imagery shows new construction taking place near the radome, which could be another radome itself, or a military facility.
- One radome already exists directly on the banks of Pangong lake which was constructed sometime before 2016.
- 10 km east of the new radome, a bridge is being constructed from both ends of the Pangong lake, which will help the PLA move troops and equipment more quickly across the lake.
- Side-by-side, another bridge is also coming up. CSIS presumes it will help in greater traffic flow and can act as a backup in case of an attack.
What it shows: Though India and China have tried to defuse tensions, neither side has agreed to backtrack from the LAC. In fact, it seems like Beijing is planning to cement its military presence in the area for the long haul. It can also mean that China is readying itself in case of a fight.
On the other hand, a Pentagon report states that China warned the US against interfering with its relations with India. Recently, India and the US concluded a joint military training in Auli, Uttarakhand, near the LAC.