Day by day there is an increase in China’s activities on the border. Now China has built a bridge over Pangong Lake, which is now reportedly open for traffic. This action by Beijing is likely to have a serious impact on India’s security. The bridge is clearly visible in the satellite photo. Through this bridge, China has got a convenient route to Tabaresha. This is a 400 meter long bridge connecting the north and south shores of Pangong Lake in Khurnak area of Ladakh. What is the reason behind building this bridge? Is this an alarm bell for India? Let’s know about this in detail.
China Bridge over Pangong Lake
Satellite images broadcast on various news channels show that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has completed the construction of a 400-meter bridge, about 25 km from the Line of Actual Control. NDTV reported that some photographs showed vehicles passing over the newly constructed bridge. In 2022, it was reported that China was building a bridge over Pangong Tso in Khurnak, the narrowest part of the lake. Damien Simon, a satellite imagery expert, had then told ‘X’ that the bridge connecting the north and south shores of Pangong Lake would soon be ready for use. Later, a retired general of the Indian Army also confirmed this to CNBC.
When reporters questioned the government about the bridge, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “We have seen reports that China has built a bridge on the side of an earlier bridge on Pangong Lake. Both these bridges are located in areas illegally occupied by China since the 1960s. “We will never accept such illegal occupation of our territory, nor will we accept these construction activities by China,” he said. The bridge bridges the gap of about 130 kilometers between the southern and northern shores of the lake. As reported by ‘The Print’, the bridge shortens the 180 km journey from Khurnak to the south coast through Rutog County in Tibet. NDTV quoted Damien Simon’s post as saying, “The new bridge over Pangong Lake gives the Chinese military an easy and convenient way to deploy troops quickly. Earlier, the PLA had to traverse the entire eastern part of the lake to reach this zone.
Is this an alarm bell for India?
The location of the bridge near Pangong Tso is of concern to India, as the move shows that China is keeping an eye on Ladakh. General Rohit Gupta (retd), who served in the Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army’s Northern Command, told CNBC that the bridge would increase China’s ability to move troops between the northern and southern coasts. Previously this was impossible for China on Pangong Tso Lake. Defense experts have noted that the bridge construction will help reduce the time it takes for China to quickly launch operations in the mountains. The bridge will also help the Chinese army with their tanks to enter areas like Rezhang La in the south. Indians had defeated them in this area in 2020.
Speaking on the importance of the bridge, Air Vice Marshal (retd) Manmohan Bahadur, who served extensively in the Ladakh region, told Hindustan Times, “This bridge will greatly help the Chinese Army in maintaining its immunity.” Chinese activities have been going on in this area for the past several years. China has been steadily developing its infrastructure in the region and claiming various areas around the LAC. Since the 2020 Galwan encounter in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed, China has significantly increased its presence in all three sectors of the 3,488 km LAC stretching from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.
In April, journalist Rajat Pandit revealed that China is using ‘Xiokang’ villages and other border infrastructure to strengthen its presence along the LAC. Earlier this year, Beijing completed construction of a road from the north of Samzungling to the Galwan Valley; Due to which the PLA will have to measure 15 km less distance to rapidly deploy troops in this area. The PLA is also building tunnels, helipads, bridges and bunkers in other parts of the LAC. Moreover, China has deployed additional fighter jets, bombers and some other aircraft in the region.
What is India’s reaction to this?
India is yet to give its official response to the new satellite images. But, according to Hindustan Times sources, India has taken several steps to boost infrastructure and counter China’s unauthorized taxes. Meanwhile, reacting to the satellite photographs, Congress MP Manish Tiwari said on ‘X’, “China has built a bridge connecting the north and south shores of Pangong Lake. This could have serious strategic implications for India. Because, this bridge will make it convenient for China to move troops quickly from one side of the lake to the other side. This bridge has increased China’s dominance in the Pangong Lake region.”
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has also questioned the construction of this bridge and said that the performance of the government is disappointing. He wrote on ‘X’ that China’s construction of a bridge connecting the north and south shores of Pangong Lake and the fact that the bridge is now operational will affect its strategic dominance. The bridge will allow China to make rapid military movements, so this is considered a matter of concern.
