Current Affairs Brain Booster for UPSC & State PCS Examination

Topic: New Chinese Village in Arunachal Pradesh

Why in News?

• Recently, China said its construction of a village across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh was “beyond reproach” because it had “never recognised” Arunachal.
• The construction of the village has been seen by analysts as a move to bolster China’s claim to the area, and part of a broader recent push by China to build civilian settlements in disputed frontier areas, which it has also done with Bhutan.

Ground Zero

• The “model village” in question, built in Arunachal’s Upper Subansiri district, has been in adverse occupation since 1959.
• The site of the village is close to where China had attacked an Assam Rifles post in 1959, in what is known as the Longju incident, and they have maintained their position there ever since.
• China has been building similar infrastructure in all sectors along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Indian forces are monitoring them. India too is strengthening the infrastructure on its side.
• There are close to two dozen spots along the entire length of the LAC in all sectors where India and China do not agree on its alignment.
• China had earlier built a permanent construction of military barracks in this area.
• Another village built last year, called Pangda, was built 2-3 km inside what Bhutan sees as its territory, in another disputed area.

India Stance

• Indian government has seen recent reports on China undertaking construction work along the border areas with India and satellite images of the village, built between November 2019 and November 2020.
• China has undertaken such infrastructure construction activity in the past several years.
• In response, Indian government too has stepped up border infrastructure including the construction of roads, bridges etc, which has provided much needed connectivity to the local population along the border.
• The image located a couple of kilometres across the LAC, beyond what India sees as the border separating Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet, on the banks of Tsari Chu river in Upper Subansiri district in Arunachal.

China’s Stance

• The Chinese Foreign Ministry said its position on the construction in Zangnan (or South Tibet, as China refers to Arunachal) region is consistent and clear.
• Chinese government never recognised Arunachal Pradesh as Indian Territory.
• According to Chinese officials, China’s development and construction activities within Indian Territory is normal. This is beyond reproach as it is in Chinese territory.

Outlook

• The government remains committed to the objective of creating infrastructure along the border areas for the improvement of livelihood of its citizens, including in Arunachal Pradesh.
• India keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s security and takes all the necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.