New Delhi: Repeated violations of agreements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) from Chinese fighter jets – forcing the Indian Air Force (IAF) to scramble on its own – to create a new highway that connects all existing friction points and will accelerate the deployment of the new army. China is maintaining pressure in the standoff with India that has been going on for more than two years.
Sources in the defense and security establishment told ThePrint that the Chinese intention was to “keep the pot boiling” and not to defuse the actual tension because wanted by india,
The ongoing provocation by the Chinese is being carried out through an aerial exercise whereby their fighters and even drones are repeatedly violating the 10-km Confidence Building Measures (CBM) agreement between the two sides. .
According to this agreement, both sides have to avoid their fighters from coming within 10 km of the LAC.
However, the provocation continued. Sources said the violation was raised by the Indian side during the last Corps Commander level talks held on 17th July, He said that the Chinese jets have flown within the agreed range even after talks.
“No Indian airspace has been violated by the Chinese which has violated the local agreement. We are on alert and take tactical steps whenever we see something,” said a source in the Defense and Security Establishment.
Another major provocation by the Chinese is their plan To build a new highway along the LAC that will pass through the disputed area of Aksai Chin and the existing flashpoint in eastern Ladakh.
G-695. referred to as national expresswayThe highway is part of China’s newly unveiled national program, which aims to build 345 new infrastructure projects by 2035, totaling 4,61,000 km of highways and motorways.
The highway will provide another access point for China to rapidly mobilize troops and move to further locations along the LAC, if required. It will also ensure easy logistics management for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops deployed along the border.
The tension is not limited to the 1,597-km border in Ladakh but also to the eastern region where the Chinese are busy building infrastructureIncluding villages close to LAC.
Read also: Chinese response to border standoff with India is to build more highways along LAC
Chinese soldiers gaining experience
Speaking about Chinese developments, sources said that China is trying to counter its losses in the Tibet region in terms of its air force. He has spent the last two years building infrastructure at his bases close to the LAC, including Shigatse, Hjotan, Kashgar among others.
These bases have now got longer runways, stern and underground shelters apart from the deployment of a large number of aircraft.
Sources also said that China is continuously inducting its latest range of armored personnel carriers, artillery and air defense systems along the Line of Actual Control.
China has also introduced G5 connections across its border to speed up its communications network and is switching its surveillance equipment to this frequency.
“China is also doing rapid rotation of troops. While we also do the planned rotation of troops, the Chinese also rotate their equipment unlike us,” said a second source.
Sources said the Chinese are focusing on building road infrastructure apart from thousands of billets for their troops at multiple locations to ensure that there is rapid deployment of men and equipment.
“The rapid rotation of troops is being done to ensure that a large number of soldiers get experience and learn from the situation. It will be beneficial for them in the long run as they are not used to such a situation,” said a third source.
Read also: ‘No immediate result’ in 16th round of India-China talks, talks will continue