Understanding the Trajectory of India’s Border Infrastructure along the LAC

The latest iteration of ORF’s National Security Dialogues - a monthly event - aims to discuss the trajectory of India’s border infrastructure along the LAC. Much of India’s security thinking has been dominated by territorial threats to sovereignty originating from the northern borders. The conclusion of the India-China War of 1962 marked the establishment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) - a line demarcating territories controlled by India and China. However, border tensions have remained a common phenomenon characterizing India-China relations. Notably, skirmishes peaked on 15th June 2020 as Indian and Chinese soldiers clashed at the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, even causing casualties on both sides. This resulted in India-China relations plummeting significantly. While several rounds of dialogue have been underway between the Indian and Chinese militaries to restore ‘normalcy’ along the LAC, the clashes at Galwan also marked a shift in India’s approach to its borders along the LAC. India has placed critical emphasis on efforts to strengthen border infrastructure, along with ramping up the deployment of armed forces and border security forces along the contested lines of the India-China border.
The key question guiding the discussions is: What has been the trajectory of India’s border infrastructure along the LAC? The panelists will examine whether India’s border infrastructure along the LAC has evolved in tandem with the changing security challenges emanating from China. What is the status of India’s border infrastructure along the LAC? How can India address the border infrastructure differential vis-à-vis along the LAC? Can the emergence of new technologies aid in efforts to ramp up border infrastructure along the LAC?
Speakers:
Lt. Gen. S.L. Narasimhan, Adjunct Distinguished Fellow, Gateway House
Amrita Nayak Dutta, Journalist, The Indian Express
M.S. Pratibha, Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses
Nitin A. Gokhale, Founder, BharatShakti.in
Moderator:
Manoj Joshi, Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation
#indianborder #indiachinaborder #borderlands

[@user_satindra]

Hi, This is Satindra from Canada. I watch each & every episode of StratNewsGlobal as well as GIST and Bharat Shakti, too. I have so far not seen such an exhaustive and detail account of our progress along LAC. It must be remembered that because we are financially and militarily behind the Chinese so we need to keep on progressing and fortifying our military strength; it's a continuous process, non stop. With the mind set of you guys and the Indian military, it is safe to say that the enemy will think twice - even thrice or more times - before launching a full scale attack on us. They understand, so I hope is that 2024 is NOT 1962!

[@user-dw5ki4sj5m]

being canadian and indian, you atwice the wood chopper (jerk off) :)

[@snathan3198]

AK Antony in parliament publicly said: we didn't biild border infra because chinese may use it to invade India. He takes the medal for the worst Raksha mantri in Indian history. He was def minister for 8 yrs because he was loyal to the "ruling" family.

[@jaibholenath6900]

Amar Akbar Anthony never had Door Lock on outerside of his door coz he left it open so that enemy can't lock him inside

[@gopalramanathan7062]

That was the era of a gang wanting to be in power indefinitely so that they don’t have to do anything at all❗️

[@WowLuvya]

Excellent discussion. There is so much experience and knowledge on the Indian side about the issues of LAC and what the CNY is doing no matter how much they protest they are only helping to develop in goodwill these forcibly absorbed countries. They have a huge urge to conquer one way or another every land they claim they once had and some. Now that Indians recognize what a huge mistake it was to not fight for Tibet, they have the opportunity to empower their exiled Tibetan brethren. Gunalankush Joel made a very good observation. For India to counter anything to do with CNY he observes India needs to increase the slope of the trajectory with a whole nation approach. Bravo! Regarding the whole nation approach India can identify what are the core benefits, that the landscape provides which can be enhanced or developed to benefit the rest of India. Energy, Water resource, planting a man-made forest for specific wood needs like New Zealand has done etc. In fact, engaging New Zealanders in the Himalayas is probably a good way to learn what they do with the rugged terrain of NZ. M.S. Pratibha made good points observing how CNY has not given up on absorbing more territory. Nitin A. Gokhale saying not just the Army, not just private sector developments, not just the media or journalists, not just some tourists but a need for an all out Indian onslaught. India needs to develop all along the LAC rigorously. Easier said than done. The itch is population pressure along with continued absorption of neighbouring countries giving the PLA something to do. Another is what Lt. Gen. S.L. Narasimhan suggested about re-conquering the lost glory during the era of humiliation. It is also opportunism by MAO's RE-INCARNATE now that he has consolidated power. The world wonders how realistic a goal is that in our current world? One DEW or a Japan solution is always possible. The good thing is that not all Chinese and oversea born Chinese are the same, sharing the same motherland reunification goal. Chinese living in many parts of the world are extremely successful and don't seem to have the urgency or need to prove they have arrived! India only needs to fight smart. India need not fight in conventional terms at all! Why not Kamikaze Drones or Iranian Predator Drones to protect yourselves. Sad, but you have an aggressive exerciser of new power. The core problem is the CNY don't respect Indians nor any others who are not Chinese.They keep playing diplomatic deceit to lull India and continue the conquer! Indians are coming of age in understanding the Chinese trajectory to move in on India slowly but surely. Time to really put Indian heads together and take a national singular narrative of China to protect Bharat. Modi Ji has already started the ball rolling on blocking the collection of data on Indians. No more excuses for live and let live because India will get absorbed if she does not counter China.The economic pressure they exert is real.

[@nishantkamat]

Please consider live streaming these events so that those joining online can ask questions as well

[@sadanandshivagunde6164]

Insightful discussions. Free Tibet. Concluding remarks on Tibet very relevant. Thank you all. Jai Hind 🙏 1:30:13

[@Red.bulldozer3]

Till now the chinese don’t agree on the LAC . Let alone actual boundary lines

[@jaibholenath6900]

Excellent insights into security issues. Hope our security establishment is engaged Most important is to sensitize the opposition parties in these issues (except Khangrace that is)

[@Drganguli]

Tibet acted as a buffer state between India and China for eons. Nehru should have allowed it to exist and the China India border problem would not have been there today.

[@testuser8600]

India has a lot of digital nomads and nature lovers who would love to work remotely from these isolated locations. Just provide good solar power, (starlink) internet and facilitate multi week/month long stay options.

[@babahanuman83]

Forget it. Indian 5 g is slower than chinese 3 g.

[@VijeDerm]

Would have been better if it included defence experts who have worked on field rather than computer room experts. One of the panelist’s idea of only defence posturing is akin to AK Anthony’s policy of not building roads to prevent Chinese incursions

[@Alienfromotherplanet]

i. would like to ask Ms. Nayak to study the terrain in Vietnam which had natural underground caves. This was used by North Vietnamese army and they also drugged USA forces as a weapon to defeat USA.

[@rakadus]

Not a relevant example. Allow the enemy in and then harras them no end is the Vietnam example. Indian objective is to prevent entry. Tunnels of course are necessary to protect assets. Not just operational assets also strategic assets.

[@gopalramanathan7062]

Good points. However of greater interest for us could be the subsequent Vietnam-China war which again Vietnam won. What lessons can we learn from that?

[@yasuynnuf1947]

Tourism will help re-populate the border areas

[@rakadus]

The richer and the more advanced Province supporting the not so developed Province is an idea worth exploring in India. With GST there is clear data on which states are "production oriented" and those which are "consumer oriented". The cross linkages between the two are human resources across the two. Can the richer States make budgetary allocation for the poorer States?

[@tridipsamanta5738]

Which Govt was responsible for delaying the building of infrastructure around LAC ?? Why none is talking about that ?? Unless we discuss our failure, we can’t grow up.

[@sanjay3671]

The technology gap between china in space, laser, microwave, robotics needs to be highlighted. In galwan they used nailed clubs so their imagination is clearly unlimited.

[@rajatmahi4801]

Thank you for it ...#Jai Hind ❤❤❤

[@Sorted_av]

Organic farming, herbs, dairy , demand is increasing. Why it's not being promoted in these areas. And why these people of arunachal are not having the regiments for thier deployment there. They will get job also and will defence it also.

[@sadanandshivagunde6164]

Is it that the clashes were engineered by China to justify the development and deployments on their side ? India never started the clashes or incursions. Next time please avoid bringing in IE. Jai Bharat 😊🙏 33:25

[@NandKumar-qq3xk]

Ended of nehru and forget era, it is take it serious era" dont talk about ? Chamchagiri and active about face to face our get out, no mercyfull talk,

[@babahanuman83]

I know these roads very well. Sorry to have to say that they are built in such a way that they will either be washed away or go down in the next earthquake. In India corruption is just everywhere.