India–China border infrastructure#Tourism

{{see also | Sino-Indian border dispute#Command | l1= Deployment structure of Indian and Chinese militaries on the Sino-Indian border | Chinese salami slicing strategy }}

File:Map_of_Western_Theatre_of_PLA.svg of China, area under integrated command.]]

{{multiple image |total_width=400 |direction=horizontal

|image1=Xinjiang prfc map2alt.png |caption1=Map of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with disputed areas claimed by China shown in blue.

|image2=Xizang prfc map.png |caption2=Map of Tibet Autonomous Region with disputed areas claimed by China shown in blue.

}}

The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the disputed border between India and China, which has led to the ongoing Sino-Indian border dispute. There are designated Border Personnel Meeting Points (BPM Points or BPMP) on LAC, mutually agreed by India and China, for conducting meeting to resolve the dispute.

Chinese Military has an integrated Western Theater Command (WTC) across the whole LAC with India. Western Theater Command also covers provinces of Sichuan, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai and Chongqing.{{Cite web |url=http://tibet.net/2016/05/eye-on-india-china-raises-tibet-military-command-rank/ |title=Eye on India, China raises Tibet military command rank {{!}} Central Tibetan Administration |website=tibet.net |access-date=1 October 2016 |archive-date=7 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107071553/http://tibet.net/2016/05/eye-on-india-china-raises-tibet-military-command-rank/ |url-status=dead}}

Indian Military has divided the LAC into 3 sectors – the northern sector (some times also called western sector) across Ladakh and the Chinese-held Aksai Chin, the central sector across Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand states, and the eastern sector across Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh states.[https://eurasiantimes.com/india-china-war-us-reports-explains-why-india-needs-to-use-its-air-force-to-incapacitate-china/ India-China War: US Study Explains Why Indian Air Force Could Outgun China In A Border Conflict] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727042837/https://eurasiantimes.com/india-china-war-us-reports-explains-why-india-needs-to-use-its-air-force-to-incapacitate-china/ |date=27 July 2020 }}, Eurasian Times, 24 July 2020.{{Cite web |url = https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/twisting-india-s-chicken-s-neck |title = Twisting India's Chicken's Neck |website = lowyinstitute.org |access-date = 18 July 2020 |archive-date = 18 July 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200718130100/https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/twisting-india-s-chicken-s-neck |url-status = live }}

{{See also|Land Borders Law of the People's Republic of China}}

===Air infrastructure===

{{anchor | ChAir}}

{{see also | List of People's Liberation Army Air Force airbases | l1= Chinese Airbases }}

See China's air infrastructure in Western Theater.

{{anchor | ChRd }}

{{ see also | Roads in China }}

China has built several roads along Indian border:

• China National Highway 219 (G219):{{Cite web|last=通讯员 窦海蓉 李岩旺|date=21 April 2020|title=国道G219线南撒至岗莫标山建设项目稳步推进|trans-title=The construction project of National Highway G219 from Nansa to Gangmobiaoshan is progressing steadily|url=https://m.yunnan.cn/system/2020/04/21/030652283.shtml|url-status=live|website=m.yunnan.cn|access-date=10 July 2020|archive-date=31 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331073026/https://m.yunnan.cn/system/2020/04/21/030652283.shtml}}
  It runs from Kargilik County in Xinjiang to Kargilik County in Tibet. It runs along the China-held and India-claimed Trans-Karakoram Tract (Shakshlgam Valley) to northeast of Sikkim.

• China National Highway 318 (G318):
  It runs from Chengdu in Sichuan to Lhasa north of Sikkim and then to Nyalam near border with Nepal and connects to Kathmandu.

• China National Highway 349 (G349):
  It runs from Lahsa near the India-Bhutan-Tibet border to areas along the Arunachal Pradesh.

{{anchor | ChRail }}

{{main | China-India railway}}

{{ see also | Railway in China }}

• Qinghai–Tibet railway (Qingzang railway), existing:
  {{convert|1956|km|mi|abbr=on}} long high-elevation railway that connects Xining in Qinghai Province to Lhasa.{{Cite web |title=China Today |url=http://www.chinatoday.com.cn/english/tourism/2017-10/11/content_747947.htm |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=www.chinatoday.com.cn}}[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/home/index.html The Official website of Yunnan province] Report of inauguration. Retrieved 1 July 2006.

• Sichuan–Tibet railway (Sichuan–Xizang railway or Chuanzang railway), planned:
  Will connect Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, and Lhasa, the provincial capital of Tibet.{{cite web|last1=Chu|title=China Approves New Railway for Tibet|url=http://english.cri.cn/12394/2014/10/31/3685s850380.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141109202324/http://english.cri.cn/12394/2014/10/31/3685s850380.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 9, 2014|website=english.cri.cn|publisher=CRI|accessdate=9 November 2014}} The line will be {{convert|1629|km|mi|abbr=on}} long,{{cite web|url=http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2014/1219/c70731-26242582.html|date=2014-12-19|title=西藏拉林铁路开工建设}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sc.gov.cn/10462/10464/10797/2014/12/25/10321898.shtml|date=2014-12-25|title=四川藏区加速构建立体交通网|access-date=2024-01-25|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211156/https://www.sc.gov.cn/10462/10464/10797/2014/12/25/10321898.shtml|url-status=dead}} will significantly cut travel time from Chengdu to Lhasa from 48 to 13 hours.{{cite web |last1=Briginshaw |first1=David |title=China starts work on central section of Sichuan-Tibet Railway |url=https://www.railjournal.com/infrastructure/china-starts-work-on-central-section-of-sichuan-tibet-railway/ |website=International Railway Journal |date=11 November 2020 |access-date=13 February 2021}}

{{anchor | ChPak }}

{{ see also | China–Pakistan relations | Debt-trap diplomacy | Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts }}

China is constructing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Azad Kashmir which is an area claimed by India. India also claims the nearby Trans-Karakoram Tract (Shaksgam Valley) ceded to China by Pakistan. Pakistan and China have also built the strategic Karakoram Highway, which connects Pakistan-held India-claimed Gilgit to Xinjiang.[https://thediplomat.com/2023/10/the-bros-mega-project-in-eastern-ladakh-a-new-road-to-daulat-beg-oldi/ The BRO’s Mega Project in Eastern Ladakh: A New Road to Daulat Beg Oldi], The Diplomat, 6 October 2023.

{{anchor | ChVil }}

China has developed a number of "xiaokang" or "model well-off border defence villages".{{Cite web|last=Ranade|first=Jayadeva|date=12 February 2022|title=China digging in for long haul in Ladakh|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/column/jayadeva-ranade-china-digging-in-for-long-haul-in-ladakh/20220212.htm|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Rediff|language=en}} The number of villages reportedly{{En dash}} range from 624,{{Cite web|last=Panag|first=Lt Gen (Retd) H S|date=2021-11-11|title=China's Land Border Law is more sinister than it lets on. India needs a course correction|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/chinas-land-border-law-is-more-sinister-than-it-lets-on-india-needs-a-course-correction/764463/|access-date=2022-02-15|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}} and 680,{{Cite web|date=2021-11-15|title=Come clean on Arunachal situation|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/first-edit/come-clean-on-arunachal-situation-1051136.html|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=26 September 2021|title=680 thriving Chinese villages along Indian borders cause of concern, says expert|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/680-thriving-chinese-villages-along-indian-borders-cause-of-concern-says-expert-316054|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Tribune India}} to 965. Some of the new Chinese border villages (with claimed location) are as follows:

• Arunachal Pradesh:
• {{Interlanguage link|Luowa|lt=Luowa|zh|珞瓦新村|WD=}} in 2021,{{Cite web|last=Som|first=Vishnu|date=18 January 2021|title=Exclusive: China Has Built Village In Arunachal, Show Satellite Images|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/china-has-built-village-in-arunachal-pradesh-show-satellite-images-exclusive-2354154 |access-date=2021-11-22|website=NDTV.com}}
• Kyungling (Arunachal Pradesh){{Cite web|last=Som|first=Vishnu|date=18 November 2021|title=Second China-Constructed Enclave In Arunachal, Show New Satellite Images|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/second-china-constructed-enclave-in-arunachal-show-new-satellite-images-2613160 |access-date=2021-11-22|website=NDTV.com}}

• Bhutan:
• Pangda in 2020.{{Cite web|last=Som|first=Vishnu|date=20 November 2020|title=China Sets Up Village Within Bhutan, 9 Km From Doklam Face-Off Site|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/china-sets-up-village-within-bhutan-9-km-from-doklam-face-off-site-2327563 |access-date=2021-11-22|website=NDTV.com}}{{Cite web|author=Griffiths|first=James|last2=Suri|first2=Manveena|date=25 November 2020|title=Satellite images appear to show China developing area along disputed border with India and Bhutan|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/24/asia/china-india-bhutan-doklam-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2020-11-24|website=CNN}}

• Uttarakhand:
• Tunjum La near Barahoti, shipping container architecture.{{Cite web|last=Pundir|first=Pallavi|date=11 December 2020|title=Latest Satellite Images Show New Village Very Close to Indian Borders|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/jgqjpd/new-china-villages-near-indian-border-world-diplomacy-conflict-controversy|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Vice}}{{Cite web|last=Gupta|first=Shishir|date=2020-11-20|title=Spotlight on Ladakh, China secretly made moves in central, Sikkim and eastern sectors|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/spotlight-on-ladakh-china-secretly-made-moves-in-central-sikkim-and-eastern-sectors/story-GuwPWJKoYjQ3hGlNx7rZUP.html|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}

{{anchor | InAir}}

{{ see also | List of Indian Air Force stations | l1= Indian Airbases }}

See the Indian air bases and advanced landing grounds (ALG) along China border.

{{anchor | InPP}}

{{ see also | :Category:Indian Army bases | l1= Indian Army bases }}

India has identified the specific Patrol Points with the specified route and the maximum depth up to which Indian troops usually patrol into the disputed territory on LAC. Patrolling points provide a truer sense of the extent of India's limits of actual control.{{Cite web|last1=Subramanian|first1=Nirupama|last2=Kaushik|first2=Krishn|date=2020-09-20|title=Month before standoff, China blocked 5 patrol points in Depsang|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/month-before-standoff-china-blocked-5-patrol-points-in-depsang-6602896/|access-date=2020-09-27|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Sushant|date=2020-07-13|title=Patrolling Points: What do these markers on the LAC signify?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-do-patrolling-points-pps-on-lac-signify-6496840/|access-date=2020-09-27|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-07-09|title=India-China LAC Standoff: Know what are patrolling points and what do they signify|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/india-china-lac-standoff-know-what-are-patrolling-points-and-what-do-they-signify/2018462/|access-date=2020-09-27|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}}

=== Railway ===

{{anchor | InRail}}

{{ see also | Future_of_rail_transport_in_India#Geo | l1= Strategic rail lines of India | Rail transport in Bhutan | l2= India-Bhutan geostrategic rail lines | Nepal Railway Company Limited | l3= India-Nepal geostrategic rail lines }}

{{expand section|date=January 2024}}

Some of that Indian railway projects serving the border with China are:

• Bhanupli–Leh line, planned & approved.

{{anchor | InRd}}

{{ see also | Tourism in Ladakh#Roads | l1= Tourist roads in Ladakh }}

India has embarked on constructing India-China Border Roads.

{{anchor | InTel }}

Under the 4G Saturation project, the BSNL will set up 20,000 4G towers in 30,000 border villages at the cost of ₹26,000 crore rupees from the Universal Service Obligation Fund. As of May 2023 the project was already underway and it will be completed in 15 months by 31 July 2024.

Today, India has about 640,000 villages, of which 575,000 have been covered by mobile telephony and data connectivity, leaving a gap of 65,000 villages without connectivity, of these 40,000 villages are being covered under the border village plan. Under the 4G saturation plan, the government wants to connect 100% villages with 4G services by 2024.[https://www.livemint.com/economy/bsnl-goes-to-borders-to-set-up-20-000-4g-towers-11685729314803.html BSNL goes to borders to set up 20,000 4G towers.], LiveMint, 2 June 2023.

{{anchor |InVil }}

India has two non-overlapping distinct schemes, the Vibrant Village Program (VVP) specifically for the Indian villages on border with China and the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) for Indian villages on border with all the neighboring countries including China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, etc.[https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/amit-shah-launches-vibrant-villages-programme-what-is-this-scheme-8554872/ Amit Shah launches Vibrant Villages Programme in Arunachal: What is this scheme], Indian Express, 14vApr 2023.

{{anchor | VIP | VVP }}

Vibrant Village Program (VVP) phase-1 has {{INRConvert|4800|c|lk=on|year=2023}}, including {{INRConvert|2500|c|lk=on|year=2023}} for the roads alone, centrally sponsored scheme budget for the fy2022-23 to fy2025-26 3 year period to comprehensively develop 662 villages with a population of 142,000 on India-China border in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Ladakh. Eventually the scheme will cover all 2,967 villages in 46 blocks of 19 border districts for the comprehensive development in the subsequent phases. The district administrator will prepare the district and village level plans with the help of grampanchayats (elected Village council) in a "hub & spokes" based growth centers model by identifying natural & human resources to develop tourism & eco-agriculture, comprehensive infrastructure including electricity, communications, healthcare, roads, startups, social enterprises, youth and woman entered empowerment, etc to stop the outward migration. NGOs, self help groups (SHG) and cooperatives will also be included.

To boost the astrotourism in India, the government is setting up observatories at Jadhang and some other places under this program.[https://theprint.in/the-fineprint/indias-new-tourism-boom-is-in-the-sky-uttarakhand-to-andamans-stargazing-on-the-rise/1611317/ India’s new tourism boom is in the sky. Uttarakhand to Andamans, stargazing on the rise], The Print, 5 June 2023.

The Border Area Development Programme (BADP) was initiated in the 1980s along the western border with Pakistan. By June 2020, the scheme covered nearly 400 blocks in 111 border districts in 18 states and union territories.{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Vijaita |date=2020-06-03 |title = India to boost infrastructure in areas along China border |language=en-IN |newspaper = The Hindu |url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-to-boost-infrastructure-in-areas-along-china-border/article31741145.ece |access-date=2021-01-19 |issn=0971-751X }} This scheme extends to development projects within 10 km of the border.{{NoteTag|Development work in the area beyond 10 km is to start under BADP only after completion of the first 10 km.{{Sfn|NITI Aayog|2015|p=5}}}} Projects can include roads, bridges, health facilities, primary schools, irrigation, and sports facilities. In 2019–20, the scheme was allotted {{INRConvert|825|c|lk=on|year=2020}}, while in 2020–21 it was allotted {{INRConvert|784|c|lk=on|year=2020}}.

In 1997, BADP started in Arunachal Pradesh. It first applied to the Indo-Myanmar Border and in 1998 was extended to the Indo-China and Indo-Bhutan borders.[http://www.arunachalplan.gov.in/html/docs/badp/Status_of_BADP09.pdf Border Area Development Programme in Arunachal Pradesh]. Status on October 2009. Department of Planning, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Retrieved on 19 January 2021. Even after ten years, BADP was unable to provide development to the over 1500 villages in the border blocks of Arunachal Pradesh; "the border blocks are yet to be opened up and are in utter backwardness due to their isolation and inaccessibility". A NITI Aayog evaluation study for the period 2007–2011 and published in 2015 found that while the heads of Gram Panchayats (GPs) gave positive feedback related to BADP, and while people have benefitted in some ways, the requirement of border villages in Arunachal Pradesh were so great that they couldn't be met by BADP in one go:{{Sfn|NITI Aayog|2015|p=42}}

{{Quote|text=...of the 21 GPs surveyed, only six were connected by all-weather roads; electricity was available in only seven of them; tap water was available only in five; none of the GPs surveyed had fixed line telephones. Only two of the 21 GPs had PDS shops; some villages were almost 25 km away from these shops. Several villages did not even have primary schools and anganwadi centres.}}

{{anchor | Arunachal }}

Arunachal Pradesh has 455 villages under vibrant village scheme. Of these, 135 villages are designated as priority villages, because they are not yet connected by the roads. In January 2024, the central Ministry of Rural Development approved Rs 2,205 crores project to connect these 125 unconnected villages in Arunachal with 105 roads of total distance of 1,022 km. Detailed Project Reports (DPR) are being prepared for these 105 road. Remaining 10 villages are not being considered presently because of issues related to the land acquisition.[https://goachronicle.com/centre-approved-proposals-to-connect-125-unconnected-habitations-in-arunachal-governor Centre-approved proposals to connect 125 unconnected habitations in Arunachal: Governor], Goa Chronicle, 26th January 2024.

{{anchor | Tourism }}

The Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan is an initiative of the Indian Military which will boost border tourism, patriotism, local infrastructure and economy while reversing civilian outward migration from these remote locations, it entails 77 battleground war memorials in border area including the Longewala War Memorial, Sadhewala War Memorial,[https://www.indiatimes.com/news/here-is-the-story-of-tanot-mata-the-diety-who-protected-indian-soldiers-from-pakistani-bombs-at-longewala-in-1971-war-259867.html The Story Of Tanot Mata, The Deity Who Protected Our Soldiers From Pakistani Bombs In 1971 War], India Times, 16 Dec 2020. Tanot Mata, Siachen base camp, Kargil, Galwan, Pangong Tso, Rezang La, Doklam, Bum La, Cho La, Kibithu, etc.[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/battleground-tourism-india-indian-army-ministry-of-tourism-galwan-siachel-kargil-longewala-battle-2665110-2025-01-15. Add Galwan, Siachen to holiday plan. India is opening battle tourism bunker], India Today'', 15 Jan 2025.

• India-China Border Roads

;Notes

{{NoteFoot}}

;Citations

{{Reflist}}

;Sources

• {{cite book |last = Kurian |first = Nimmi |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=GRlBDwAAQBAJ |title = India-China Borderlands: Conversations beyond the Centre |publisher = Sage Publishing India |year = 2014 |isbn = 9789351504320 }}
• {{cite book |last=Mukherjee |first=Kunal |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=THuCDwAAQBAJ |title = Conflict in India and China's Contested Borderlands: A Comparative Study |publisher=Routledge |year=2019 |isbn=9780429677625 }}
• {{cite report |url = https://www.orfonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/OccasionalPaper_42b.pdf |title = Sino-Indian Border Infrastructure: An Update |last1=Rajagopalan|first1=Rajeswari Pillai|last2=Prakash|first2=Rahul|date=May 2013|publisher=Observer Research Foundation|access-date=25 November 2020}}
• {{cite report |url = https://niti.gov.in/writereaddata/files/document_publication/report-BADP.pdf |title = Evaluation Study on Border Area Development Programme (BADP) |author = NITI Aayog |date=June 2015 |publisher = NITI Aayog, Programme Evaluation Organisation, Government of India }}

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{{China–India relations}}

Category:China–India border

Category:Sino-Indian border dispute

Category:Politics of the Kashmir conflict

Category:China in the Kashmir conflict