Context:
In a recent development, Chinese nationals have started occupying previously vacant “Xiaokang” border defence villages along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China. Constructed by China in 2019, the presence of these villages has sparked concerns within the Indian Army, prompting scrutiny over the occupants’ intentions and the strategic implications for the region.
Relevance:
GS II: International Relations
Dimensions of the Article:
- Understanding “Xiaokang” Border Defence Villages
- Line of Actual Control (LAC)
- India’s Initiatives Along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
Understanding “Xiaokang” Border Defence Villages
Definition and Purpose:
- Xiaokang or “well-off villages” are part of China’s strategic infrastructure development initiative along its borders, specifically along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India.
- Notable areas of occupation include villages across from Lohit Valley and the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Constructed in regions with contested territorial claims or where reinforcing sovereignty is deemed necessary.
Design and Functionality:
- Dual-use infrastructure designed for both civilian settlement and military presence.
- Built in regions with contested territorial claims or where reinforcing sovereignty is deemed necessary.
Concerns for India:
- China has constructed 628 such villages along India’s borders with the Tibet Autonomous Region, indicating a deliberate effort to assert territorial claims along the LAC.
- Raises concerns among Indian military strategists, emphasizing the importance of heightened vigilance along the border.
- The potential dual-use nature of these villages raises apprehensions about increased militarization along the already tense LAC.
- Lack of transparency regarding the specific purpose and scale of the civilian population in these villages contributes to suspicion and hampers trust-building efforts.
Line of Actual Control (LAC)
- The Line of Actual Control (LAC) serves as the boundary between areas controlled by India and those controlled by China.
- Three Sectors: The LAC is divided into three main sectors:
- Eastern Sector: Covers regions like Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
- Middle Sector: Encompasses Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
- Western Sector: Spans across Ladakh.
- Differing Lengths: India claims the LAC to extend 3,488 km, whereas China’s claim is around 2,000 km, indicating a disparity in their perceptions.
- India’s Claim Line: India’s claim line is based on official maps released by the Survey of India, incorporating Aksai Chin and Gilgit-Baltistan. This diverges from the LAC, suggesting that LAC isn’t India’s precise claim line.
- China’s Claim Line: For China, the LAC is considered its claim line, except in the eastern sector where it asserts ownership over the entirety of Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet.
India’s Initiatives Along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
Vibrant Villages Program:
- Aims to modernize 663 border villages, with 17 selected for development along the China-India border in regions like Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Border Roads Organization (BRO):
- Completed 90 infrastructure projects along the India–China border, worth Rs 2,941 crore.
- As of September 2023, 36 projects in Arunachal Pradesh, 26 in Ladakh, and 11 in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Involved in constructing major highways like the Trans-Arunachal Highway, Frontier Highway, and East-West Industrial Corridor Highway to enhance connectivity, especially in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh and the Tawang region.
Border Area Development Programme (BADP):
- Centrally sponsored scheme addressing special developmental needs of people living in remote and inaccessible areas near the international border.
- Funds allocated for projects related to Infrastructure, Livelihood, Education, Health, Agriculture, and Allied sectors.
Railways:
- Indian Railways constructing strategic rail lines in the Northeast region to facilitate swift mobilization of the Indian army.
-Source: The Hindu
