China plans to establish 175 additional villages along Arunachal Pradesh border

PTC Web Desk: China has outlined plans to develop an additional 175 border villages along its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) facing Arunachal Pradesh, says a report published in The Tribune. These proposed settlements are in addition to the existing 628 "Xiaokang" or prosperous villages near the LAC. The purpose behind establishing these villages is believed to be twofold: to fortify territorial claims and bolster military readiness along the LAC, which lacks demarcation on the ground. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to construct 900 LAC villages, with 200 of them situated near the Indian boundary. These settlements are envisioned to serve as monitoring points and potential military bases in case of conflicts with India.

While the Indian authorities acknowledge the military implications of these developments, they also recognise their long-term ramifications. It is speculated that China may seek to build a robust legal defense under the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) of 2005 with India. Article VII of the BDCA stipulates that "the two sides shall safeguard due interests of their settled populations in the border areas." Consequently, when the time comes to demarcate the LAC, it is anticipated that these "settled populations" villages will not be subject to displacement. Currently, Indian villages facing these new settlements have sparse populations.

In tandem with the establishment of villages, China has embarked on extensive infrastructure projects in Tibet and areas proximate to the LAC. The 14th Five Year Plan (2021-2025) of China includes the expansion of the Nyingchi phase of the Sichuan-Tibet railway line, preliminary work on the Hotan-Shigatse and Gyirong-Shigatse rail lines, and the development of the Chengdu-Wuhan-Shanghai high-speed railway network. Moreover, the plan entails the enhancement of national highways G-219 and G-318, both of which run parallel to India along the LAC. The G-219 traverses areas opposite Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, while the G-318 is situated opposite Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

These infrastructural endeavours, coupled with efforts to integrate Tibet into China, reflect Beijing's strategic objectives to deepen its influence and assert its power in the region. Recently, China held celebratory ceremonies on its side of the LAC, purportedly marking the "65th anniversary of democratic reform" in Xizang (Tibet). This event commemorates the dissolution of the Tibetan government headed by the Dalai Lama on March 28, 1959. Notably, the ceremonies were conducted at two locations north of Arunachal Pradesh and one site north of Sikkim.

In light of these developments, there are growing concerns about the geopolitical implications for India and the broader region. The expansion of settlements and infrastructure along the LAC signifies China's persistent efforts to assert dominance in border areas and solidify territorial claims. It underscores the importance of India's vigilance and strategic response to safeguard its interests and territorial integrity. As China continues to pursue its strategic objectives, the evolving dynamics along the LAC will remain a focal point of regional geopolitics, with implications extending beyond bilateral relations between India and China.

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