On Monday, NDTV shared satellite images revealing a new Chinese base near Pangong Lake, escalating tensions between India and China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The Pangong Lake base is 36 kilometres east of the LAC on territory held by China, which introduces significant strategic concerns. It lies 15 km east of a new bridge over the high-altitude Pangong Lake in Ladakh, a move seen as Beijing’s latest attempt to increase pressure near previously unoccupied border areas.
The site features over 70 permanent structures strategically dispersed to mitigate the risk of missile attacks. Military sources highlight that the layout serves dual purposes: housing soldiers and porters involved in nearby construction activities and storing logistics potentially used along the LAC with India. “Each structure can house 6-8 soldiers or store up to 10 tonnes of logistics, including ammunition and artillery shells,” military experts explain to NDTV.
A geospatial imagery expert, Damien Symon, notes significant development at the site. “A major construction initiative is erecting multiple double-storey buildings, administrative offices, and emerging town centres. Electrification and water supply infrastructure are also being established to adapt to the harsh local climate,” Symon states.
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Construction started in March 2024 after the site was cleared in April 2022, and it has sparked concerns over its dual-use potential. Lt. General DS Hooda (retired) suggests, “While China may claim the development is for civilian purposes, the infrastructure could serve military needs in a conflict.”
The development could potentially violate the 2005 agreement between India and China, which emphasizes protecting the interests of settled populations in border areas. “By building in these contested areas where no settled population existed, China might be trying to strengthen its territorial claims and weaken India’s negotiating position,” Hooda adds, describing it as part of China’s long-term strategy.
Recent observations by Damien Symon have also identified similar construction activities on the south bank of Pangong Lake and near Spanggur Lake, indicating a broader pattern of infrastructure expansion by China near contested areas.
Despite these developments, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has not specifically responded to this latest construction activity. However, India has also increased its infrastructure development along the border, enhancing roads, tunnels, and military facilities to ensure rapid response capabilities against any adversarial actions by China along the LAC.
