News has emerged that China recently finished constructing a strategic highway close to the disputed border with Arunachal Pradesh in India, in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). The project, which began back in 2014, connects Pad Township in Nyingchi city and Medog County. Notably, Medog County is the last county in Tibet near the Arunachal Pradesh border, an area claimed by China as part of South Tibet – a claim India firmly rejects. This construction allows greater access to remote areas.
This is significant because it intersects with the Grand Canyon of the Brahmaputra river, known as Yarlung Zangbo in Tibet. The Brahmaputra river holds the title of the longest river in Tibet, while its valley is recognized as the world’s deepest, boasting a 7,000-metre drop from the highest mountain peak to the lowest basin. With the completion of the highway, travel time between Nyingchi city and Medog County is now reduced by eight hours.
Other Strategic Chinese Constructions
In addition to the highway, China commenced work on a strategically important railway line in 2020, aiming to connect Sichuan province with Nyingchi in Tibet, located near the Arunachal Pradesh border. This project marks the second major rail link to Tibet, following the Qinghai-Tibet railway that opened in 2006.
Additionally, reports surfaced in January 2021 about the construction of three new villages 5 kilometres from the Bum La pass in Arunachal Pradesh. Also, satellite imagery from 2020 showed a new village named Pangda constructed 2-3 km into land claimed by Bhutan. The TAR government initiated a plan in 2017 to build moderately well-off villages in border areas, with plans to develop 628 first and second-line villages near China’s borders with India, Bhutan, and Nepal.
India’s Concerns and Actions
Such developments are concerning for India, especially as China is also planning the Yarlung Zangbo hydro-power project in Medog county, causing unrest amongst downstream countries like India. Moreover, a highway at the border could potentially enhance the efficiency and convenience of military personnel and logistics supplies in the border area.
In response, India has allocated 10% of funds from the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) to improve infrastructure along the China border. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) recently constructed the Daporijo bridge over the Subansiri river in Arunachal Pradesh, connecting roads leading up to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China. Also, the foundation for a tunnel at Nechiphu in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh has been laid, which will shorten travel time for troops to the LAC through Tawang, an area claimed by China.
Furthermore, a tunnel is being constructed under the Se La pass in Arunachal Pradesh, connecting Tawang to the rest of Arunachal and Guwahati. The state government of Arunachal Pradesh proposed selecting ten census towns along the India-China border for infrastructure development to prevent migration to distant urban centres.
Moreover, the Indian Air Force inaugurated a resurfaced runway at Vijaynagar, India’s easternmost village in Arunachal Pradesh in 2019. The Indian Army conducted an exercise called ‘HimVijay’ in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam with its newly created Integrated Battle Groups (IBG). Also, the Bogibeel bridge, India’s longest road-rail bridge, was opened in 2018. It connects Dibrugarh in Assam to Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh and aids in quicker troop movement to areas near the India-China border.
Way Forward for India
Given these developments, it is important for India to remain alert to any new developments in China near its border in order to effectively protect its interests. Moreover, there’s a need to construct sturdy infrastructure in these challenging border areas to ensure efficient logistical supplies and personnel movement.
