For more than two decades, clashes between India and China have been frequent in the Yangtze region of Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector. A senior official told News18 that Friday’s skirmish was a strong attempt by China to conquer the region under the circumstances. The official said that China started efforts to gain control of the region in the late 1990s.
At least twice a year, clashes between the two countries are common in Tawang. However, in recent years, Chinese military incursions have been rampant. More than 200 Chinese troops attempted to cross the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Yangtze River. In October last year too, a large contingent of Chinese troops tried to cross the LAC. This led to a major confrontation between the two countries and the Chinese army was blocked in the area.
China ‘Xiaokang’ model at the border
Infrastructure in the region has also been expanded, including the construction of defense villages. Although these villages are currently uninhabited, Indian military officials have expressed concern that China could use them for military purposes.
China’s threat lies in the two strategic tri-junctions of Tawang and Chumbi Valley. Tawang is located on the Nepal-Tibet border and the Chumbi Valley is at the China-Bhutan junction. But in view of China’s politico-military moves, India has expanded its military presence at both tri-junctions.
It is not only in the Yangtze region of Tawang sector that Indian and Chinese troops are clashing. In 1986-87 there was a major clash with China in the Sumdorong Valley.
Meanwhile, both sides have deployed more troops in all sectors of Tawang, including in Mago Chuna in the east. Officials who have served in the region told News18 that China has seen India’s presence here as an intrusion and has repeatedly laid claim to the region over the past two decades.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh told Parliament on Tuesday that China’s People’s Liberation Army attempted to breach the Line of Actual Control in the Yangtze last Friday. The minister also stated that in the last two decades, many such efforts have been made from China’s side.
Summary: Why Tawang’s Yangtse facing two decades of India China faceoff
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