Context
Three years after the violent clash in Galwan, both India and China are busy with construction in the area. China is building a bridge across Pangong Tso while India is constructing a road on the north bank. Chinese Construction Update:- Main bridge construction underway, secondary bridge completed.
- Recent large-scale construction activity observed on the north bank.
- Road connectivity work along the south bank towards Shandong village in progress.
- Chinese air defence site located east of the Khurnak fort.
- Construction of a 22 km-long tunnel along the G-0177 expressway at Yuli, connecting to the G-216 highway in Tibet.
- Ongoing Deployments and Friction Points: Over one lakh troops remain deployed on both sides of the lake since 2020. Corps Commander-level talks have reached a stalemate due to remaining friction points at Depsang and Demchok.
- Demchok Situation: In Demchok, China has set up tents on the Indian side of Charding nala. Varying claims exist in the Charding La area, contributing to the ongoing dispute.
- India holds one-third of the 135 km-long Pangong Lake, with the disputed area known as the “fingers”.
- Indian claims extend till Finger 8, the perceived Line of Actual Control (LAC), while historically holding territory till Finger 4.
- Initial clashes in May 2020 occurred on the north bank, which has more significant differences in LAC perceptions compared to the south bank.
- Indian Army has a permanent position near Finger 3, while the Chinese have a base east of Finger 8.
Pangong Lake
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- Increased budgetary allocation: Budget allocation for Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has significantly increased in recent years. In 2023-24, BRO’s capital budget was? 5,000 crore, a 43% increase from the previous year’s? 3,500 crore.
- ICBR Plan: Focus on the India-China Border Roads (ICBR) plan, with substantial investments made.
- Connectivity projects: BRO is nearing completion of key infrastructure projects in the eastern sector. Notable projects include the Sela, Nechipu, and Sela-Chhabrela tunnels, enhancing all-weather connectivity along the LAC.
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