SITUATION PRECARIOUS
The situation along Line of Actual Control (LAC) has remained critical especially after the Chinese army’s incursion in 2020 leading to border conflicts and prolonged stalemate which is still not resolved fully despite scores of military level talks between the defence representatives of both the countries though headway has been reached at number of friction points from where the forces have been withdrawn. Reportedly, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has built more than 200 new shelters in the strategic area between Aksai Chin and the Siachen Glacier. These prefabricated shelters have been built for the purpose of providing support to the Chinese soldiers because these have the provision to control the temperature and the soldiers can survive even in the bitter cold. There are military bases in the depth area to support this encroachment and provide military equipment.
The Chinese Army encroached on 5 areas of Ladakh in 2020, from where it has returned, but the old incursions in Depsang and Damchowk remain intact. The presence of Chinese soldiers in Depsang is restricting the Indian Army from going up to the traditional Patrol Points. The expansionist China is in no mood to vacate the aforesaid areas as it has been engaged in setting up edifice for its military basis making it necessary for India to act according to the need and raise infrastructure to counter every action of China in befitting manner. It is pertinent to mention that the area in question has a great strategic value as far as India is concerned because it connects China-occupied Aksai Chin with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and it is the same region where China is working on building a highway under the Belt and Road Initiative. Reports coming out have confirmed that India is abreast with the situation and is making all out efforts to fortify the border by raising infrastructure required to counter any kind of misadventure by China. The situation is quite tense and there is dire need that India should maintain the pressure on China through other means including restriction on business ties, etc to restrain the Dragon nation from indulging into misadventures and activities which may prove detrimental for the country.