The ongoing summer has been witness to a significant surge in military activities carried out by China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), stretching from eastern Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. The situation has become increasingly complex, and the variations in the sentences reflecting this complexity are evident.
Despite numerous rounds of talks, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has displayed no willingness to withdraw its troops from strategically vital areas, leading to a prolonged military confrontation that has now entered its fourth summer. This prolonged standoff between India and China has raised regional tensions to an alarming level.
To evaluate the current operational situation, Army Chief General Manoj Pande undertook visits to key locations, including the 14 Corps headquarters at Leh and the Siachen Glacier on the Pakistan front. Additionally, he is scheduled to visit some forward areas along the LAC facing China. These visits underscore India’s dedication to closely monitoring the situation and ensuring preparedness in the region.
Despite all efforts to find a resolution through dialogue, the 19th round of corps commander-level talks between India and China is yet to take place. The lack of progress in these talks indicates China’s reluctance to pursue a peaceful resolution to the ongoing tensions. This complexity in the negotiation process is adding to the overall perplexity of the situation.
Throughout the duration of the military standoff, China has been relentlessly consolidating its military positions along the LAC. This consolidation includes the construction of bunkers, posts, artillery positions, surface-to-air missile systems, radar sites, and ammunition storage. Such actions are heightening concerns as they signify China’s readiness to maintain a prolonged military presence in the region.
Apart from strengthening ground positions, China has also undertaken massive upgrades to its air bases that directly face India. Numerous air bases, such as Hotan, Kashgar, Gargunsa, Shigatse, Hoping, Lingzhi, and Lhasa-Gonggar, have witnessed extensive improvements, including the construction of new and extended runways, hardened shelters, and fuel storage facilities. These enhancements have significantly increased China’s aerial capabilities in the region, allowing for the accommodation of additional fighter jets, bombers, AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems), drones, and reconnaissance aircraft. The reports of the ongoing construction of seven to eight new airfields and heliports further emphasize China’s dedication to bolstering its aerial capabilities.