China’s Latest Railway Project On The Indo-China Border Near Arunachal Pradesh

November 14, 2020

At a time when there have been talks of a potential disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops from the highly contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh, new developments suggest that there might be an onset of tensions in India’s eastern border in Arunachal Pradesh.

Recent reports have suggested that Beijing has officially begun work on a strategically significant railway line in Tibet which will link Sichuan province with Nyingchi, which lies on the Indo-China border in Arunachal Pradesh.

The railway line project is seen to be hugely important for Chinese President Xi Jinping, who gave a go-ahead for its initiation recently while stating – “(The project is) a major step in safeguarding national unity and a significant move in promoting the economic and social development of the western region.”

The railway project, which is the second biggest railway project in Tibet, is highly significant for the Chinese as it will link the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) to the hinterland.

Moreover, the railway line will run right up to Nyingchi near the Indian border, with the entire line running from Chengdu to Lhasa, connecting the two capitals of TAR and Sichuan while cutting the journey from 48 hours to 13 hours.

Courtesy: Eurasian Times