Disket Angmo
Ladakh's strategic importance in the aftermath of the Galwan valley clashes in 2020 has acquired a renewed relevance. The violent incidents led to a gradual deployment of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry on both sides of the India-China border. Both sides continue to build infrastructure along the border developing roads among other projects to reinforce their respective presence in the region. In this regard Galwan Valley crisis has been a watershed moment for India.
Historically, Leh the main city of Ladakh has always enjoyed great geostrategic importance; it was a busy entrepot for trade between Central and South Asia and Tibet. China's forays into the region began soon after its occupation of Tibet in 1959. The strategic importance of Ladakh to both India and China is rooted in a complicated historical process that led to India and China is rooted in a complicated historical process that led to the territory becoming a part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, and China's interest in it. The influence of Tibetan culture on Ladakh is greater than any of its neighbors. Ladakh turned towards Tibet for spiritual guidance, Ladakhi monks and scholars often travelled to Tibet for monastic education. Pilgrimage to Kailash-Mansarovar and Lhasa was a regular occurrence for the people of Ladakh. Ladakh and Tibet had a robust trading network and the geopolitical continuum of Ladakh and Tibet provided a strong cultural continuity. However, there was an abrupt end to the centuries-old route connecting Ladakh and Tibet after the Chinese occupied Tibet. It is only after that India and China came to share the now disputed common border. Further, Dalai Lama's flight to India and China strengthening its military presence in the Aksai Chin and eastern regions became a catalyst for the 1962 Indo-China war.
Sino-Indian controversy over border problems in the 21 century has once again made Ladakh a new strategic reality. The vital importance of Ladakh to the defence of India had long been recognized , but the Galwan valley stand-off and the frequent skirmishes at Pongong lake in 2020, has further accelerated the geostrategic importance of Ladakh for India's border security. Over the years, the Chinese have built an intensive network of motorable roads in the region, making it easier for the PLA (People's Liberation Army) to patrol the region. China has been constructing new roads and housing projects to add credibility to its territorial claims.
Short-lived tactical win
In the 15th and 16th round of China-India corps commandeers' meeting at Chushul Moldo on the India side, Kailash range where India had a mojor strategic advantage has been declared a no-man's land. The Kailash range was the theatre of conflict during the 1962 Chinese offensive. In 2020, India troops secured Kailash in a surprise offensive which turned out to be a tactical win for India. The Kailash range originates from the southern bank and runs northwest to southeast for over 60 kilometres. The ridge includes Chushul Bowl, which is an important communications centre for India. The Chushul Bowl is strategically important for India; it is from there that the road leads straight to Leh. The area is relatively flat which allows for a rapid movement of troops and tanks. By agreeing to pull back from the Kailash Range reportedly for the sake of “overall politico-military interface”, India has lost a major strategic advantage.
Since 2017, China has accelerated a programme of re-settlement of nomads along the border by improving housing and roads with the aim to promote economic development and border security. On the Indian side of the border, things have improved in the recent years. Considering the strategic importance of Ladakh, it becomes imperative to address the aspirations of the people living on the border as they play a significant role in shaping the political discourse of the region.
Need for incentives
There is a major lack of telecommunication service on the India side. The people residing in these areas are mostly nomadic pastoral communities and live in harsh climatic conditions and lead a poor quality of life. The uncertainties associated with pastoralism and lack of jobs have led to mass migration of the people living along the border. Many were forced to leave their traditional winter grazing grounds which had led to loss of pasture land. Comprehensive and major development initiatives are required in the terms of building infrastructure and creating job opportunities for the youth of the region. The Union Government should provide incentives to the nomadic herders as they often play an important role in adding permanence and credibility to the border areas.
In recent years China has been following a more aggressive foreign policy by bolstering its claims in the south China sea, belligerent infiltrations in the western sector of Ladakh and by sending warplanes across the median line in Taiwan Strait. Hence, dealing with China has become central to India's security policy. India has to accept the new strategic reality of a more violence-prone and militarized Line of Actual Control (LAC). In a welcome move India has installed pre-fabricated habitat structures for the Army which has been a major step forward. The Shyok valley bridge has nee connected till Daulet Beg Oldi and more stimuli has been put on strengthening infrastructure in the area. There has been a major shift in India's military doctrine from being entirely defensive to having a more proactive and offensive policy. Ladakh has thus become critical for India's border security.
It will be relevant to highlight the role of the people of Ladakh and the Ladakh Scouts, an infantry regiment, in defending border. They have made immense contribution. Despite facing difficulties the natives have always rallied behind the Army. The Ladakh Scouts assigned with patrolling and guarding the high-altitude regions has played a critical role in all the wars. It is adapted to survive in the harsh terrain with tactical knowledge of the region. It was the first unit of the Indian Army to successfully launch the counter-strike against Pakistan incursions in Kargil operations in 1999 in Batalik sector.
(Courtesy: Border Affairs)
(The writer is PhD in Inner Asian studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University)
