3 Years Since Galwan: India’s Vigorous Efforts to Strengthen Infra, Surveillance and Combat Readiness at LAC

According to the reports in the defence establishment, India has substantially improved its military infrastructure, surveillance, and combat capabilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, stretching almost 3,500 km since the deadly clashes in Galwan Valley in 2020. This information was disclosed on Wednesday, the eve of the third anniversary of the hostilities.

The Indian and Chinese armed forces are currently engaged in discussions to alleviate tensions along the frontier. Despite successfully disengaging from some friction points, the two sides remain locked in a standoff in a few areas. The Galwan Valley clashes of June 15, 2020, marked the first deadly encounter between the two militaries along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in fifty years, causing a significant strain in their bilateral relations.

The reports say that India has made substantial progress in narrowing down the “infrastructure differential” with China in the LAC region in the last three years. This has been achieved through persistent efforts in developing essential facilities such as helipads, airfields, bridges, tunnels, and troop habitats. The reports highlighted these significant achievements when questioned about the measures taken in the aftermath of the Galwan clashes.

According to the reports, infrastructure development is progressing rapidly throughout the LAC, and the primary objective is to reduce infrastructure differences. The reports mentioned that our troops and equipment are sufficiently deployed to handle unforeseen events. Our approach is aimed at thwarting any evil intentions of the adversary. The authorities also emphasized the importance of strengthening all forms of surveillance, including electronic management, to enhance the overall preparedness of the Indian armed forces. Furthermore, the reports commented that the efforts to strengthen infrastructure, administration, and military capabilities are based on a whole-of-government approach. Senior commanders of the Army’s Northern Command are scheduled to review the overall situation along the LAC in eastern Ladakh on Thursday.

In the aftermath of the prolonged border dispute between India and China in eastern Ladakh, there has been an increased emphasis on the prompt mobilization of troops and weapons systems. Consequently, the Army has implemented various measures to enhance its operational capabilities in the eastern region, such as acquiring all-terrain vehicles, precision-guided ammunition, high-tech surveillance equipment, radars, and weapons.

To address the remaining friction points and restore peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, the military forces of both nations have engaged in 18 high-level talks thus far. During the 18th round of military talks on April 23, the two sides agreed to remain in close contact and collaboratively devise a mutually acceptable solution to the outstanding issues in eastern Ladakh as soon as possible.

The process of disengagement in several conflict zones between India and China has been completed following exhaustive diplomatic and military discussions. India has consistently emphasized that establishing peace in the border regions is a prerequisite for normalized relations with China. Speaking on the matter on June 8, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asserted that the expectation of restoring normalcy in Indo-China relations without resolving the border situation in eastern Ladakh is baseless.

According to the speaker, the reality is that the ongoing border situation has severely affected the bilateral relationship between the countries involved and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Any assumption that the relationship will normalize while the border situation remains unresolved is not based on sound reasoning. This statement about the eastern Ladakh border standoff began on May 5, 2020, after a violent clash in the Pangong Lake area.