File Picture
A new satellite image showing China building a bridge on its side of the Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh emerged on Monday amid the prolonged Sino-India military standoff in the border area.
People familiar with the development said the satellite imagery is of an area on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control near the Galwan valley region.
The armies of India and China had created a buffer zone in Galwan valley following their deadly clashes on June 15, 2020.
On January 1, Indian and Chinese troops exchanged sweets and greetings at 10 border posts along the LAC including in eastern Ladakh to mark the New Year.
The sources said the bridge is at a distance of around 40 km from the alignment of the LAC in the region and that India has also been developing infrastructure in the region at a rapid pace.
Geo-intelligence expert Damien Symon posted a satellite image on Twitter suggesting that the new bridge was being constructed by China to link the North and South banks of Pangong lake.
According to a report by ANI, More than 20 months into the military standoff, China has deployed around 60,000 troops opposite the Indian territory in Ladakh and continue to build infrastructure to help the faster movement of its forces to the Line of Actual Control.
The Chinese numbers had surged significantly during the summer season as they brought in a large number of troops for summer training. They have now gone back to their rear locations.
“However, they are still maintaining around 60,000 troops in the areas opposite Ladakh,” government sources told ANI.
The threat perception is there from the Chinese side as they continue to build infrastructure across the LAC.
The Chinses moves prompted opposition to slam Modi Government’s China policy
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted in Hindi
गलवान पर हमारा तिरंगा ही अच्छा लगता है।
चीन को जवाब देना होगा।
मोदी जी, चुप्पी तोड़ो!— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 2, 2022
Congress party’s Communications charge and Chief Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted ,
As the year ends, China threatens our territorial integrity & sovereignty.#China has already transgressed & occupied Depsang Plains & Gogra Hot Springs in Eastern Ladakh.
China has set up a village in Arunanchal.
Mr. 56” refuses to say a word.
Weak Govt, Mum PM! pic.twitter.com/94uVIUcmYT
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 31, 2021
