‘Have right to build LAC infrastructure’
India may soon convey to China that it (India) has every right to develop defence infrastructure on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The process of building infrastructure is expected to continue in areas near the LAC that are controlled by India and where the Indian military has a permanent presence.
Speculation is rife that China is keen on a freeze in border infrastructure near the LAC with India so that there is no infrastructure development even in Indian-controlled areas which China claims to be its own. Sources in the Indian security establishment feel that China is aiming to scuttle development of border infrastructure by India. This is because the Chinese are far ahead of India when it comes to developed border infrastructure since India had made a late start on this. So any freeze on border infrastructure by both countries would be to China’s advantage.
Speculation is also rife that China may have made a mention on the proposed freeze of border infrastructure as part of the Border Defence Co-operation Agreement (BDCA) draft which is under negotiation and examination by the two countries.
Defence minister A.K. Antony had made it clear in May that India has every right to build border infrastructure on its soil, and had added that India has to maintain an edge in defence preparedness over its adversaries.
China is particularly nervous about the Chumar sector in south-eastern Ladakh since the Indian defences are very close to the LAC and Indian troops are positioned better to reach the LAC in that sector compared to the Chinese troops.
One June 17 this year, Chinese troops had transgressed again into Indian territory in the Chumar sector and had taken away a surveillance camera.
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