China’s obsession with Arunachal Pradesh, understand the game going on on India’s eastern border in 4 points

China considers Arunachal Pradesh not a state of India but a part of Southern Tibet. India denies this claim but China also opposes the movement of Indian leaders in Arunachal Pradesh. But it has been repeatedly reprimanded by India and the example of this was also seen in the statement given by the Ministry of External Affairs yesterday, when in the weekly briefing, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal bluntly said that China is rejecting its baseless claims. Can be repeated as many times as you want. But that will not change the situation. China has been upset by India’s tough stance on Arunachal. In fact, Beijing regularly expresses objection to any high-profile visit by the central government to Arunachal Pradesh. This obsession has become a pattern and this pattern still persists. Beijing’s game is well established to keep the border issue alive. Maintaining this tension gives it geopolitical relevance. Generalizing the field would diminish its importance. Its attempted skirmishes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) reflect its ulterior motive. No in-depth study is required to understand Beijing’s expansionist tendencies. Its hegemonic story has come out openly.

Why was China upset by PM’s visit to Arunachal?

Given this historicity, China’s recent objection to Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh and the inauguration of the Sela Tunnel located at an altitude of 13,000 feet hardly surprises anyone. The normal exchange of words and comments continues and everything goes on as usual. But, this time, seeing this regular practice of China, America has denied Beijing’s claim and expressed its objection to its unilateral claims. America has also accepted Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India. This shift in geopolitical gears takes the discourse on the region to a different height. However, what worries China the most is the strategic importance of the Sela Tunnel, which remains open for all seasons. In the event of any significant border conflict between the two rival neighbours, the Sela Tunnel gives India the ease and advantage to present an effective counter. It also provides psychological relief to the troops and frees them from climatic constraints and unnecessary storage in anticipation of winter and possible disruptions. Apart from its geo-strategic importance, the connectivity aspect of the tunnel is equally important. Winter connectivity to Tawang via Sela Pass is complex. The narrow roads, which were in potential danger of being blocked due to heavy snowfall in winter, had cursory connectivity. The fully functional Sela Pass ensures India’s ease of connectivity and geo-strategic importance in the region. This irritates China and sees India as an effective competitor in the neighbourhood, which makes necessary preparations to fight the geopolitical heat generated by China in the eastern Himalayas.

Sela Tunnel

The Sela Tunnel is the world’s longest two-lane tunnel, constructed by the Border Roads Organization at an altitude of over 13,000 feet at a cost of Rs 825 crore. Consisting of two tunnels, measuring 1,595 meters and 1,003 meters in length respectively, along with 8.6 kilometers of approach and link roads, the project consists of both T1 and T2 tubes. T2, the longer tube, extends 1,594.90 metres, with a narrow, parallel tunnel 1,584.38 meters long, designed to facilitate escape in the event of a cave-in. This development ensures rapid deployment of troops and heavy weapons, including artillery guns, from 4 Corps Headquarters to Tawang in the plains of Assam, allowing any emergency situation to be dealt with immediately. This tunnel will reduce the distance between Tawang and Dirang in West Kameng district of Arunachal by 12 km, resulting in a time saving of about 90 minutes for passengers in each direction. The BCT road often faces blockages at the Sela Pass during winter due to heavy snowfall, creating significant bottlenecks for both military and civilian traffic. The Sela Pass, which is visible to Chinese troops from the LAC, poses a strategic disadvantage. The tunnel passing beneath the pass will help reduce this military vulnerability.

Entire China in range of Agni-5

There is a stir in China after India’s Agni-5 test. After this test, China has admitted that India has become a big player in missile technology. With the test of ‘Mission Divyastra’, India has joined the select group of countries which have MIRV capability. India’s growing deterrence capabilities and structural strength are deeply troubling the Chinese leadership. Recent reactions reveal his frustration. Beijing never intended to see India cross the threshold of limited power. Fast growth rates, democracy and a young population make a compelling case for India’s definite rise as a bankable global player.

Modi himself arrived to win the trust of Bhutan

For some time, Bhutan and China have been trying to resolve their border issue through a 3 step road map. The issue of border dispute between these two countries is very important for India from a strategic point of view. Control over Doklam is an important matter between Bhutan and China. The Doklam Plateau is on the border of India and Bhutan and this triangle is connected to the Siliguri Corridor of India. If China has control here, then the strategically important Chicken Neck Corridor will be monitored by China. Therefore, this is very important for India. That’s why Prime Minister Modi reached Bhutan in the middle of the election season. On reaching Bhutan, PM Modi received such a grand welcome that hardly any Prime Minister had received before. Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Bhutan has been impressive, and the confidence of both Himalayan neighbours, as well as their enduring partnership and interdependence, are signs of a stronger South Asia.