China’s Road-Building Near Siachen Raises Strategic Concerns

May 15, 2024

A researcher named Nature Desai recently shared on the social media site X information about how China is building roads in the Himalayas. Satellite images back up Desai’s research, which shows that a road is being built across the Aghil Pass at an elevation of 4,805 m that goes to the lower Shaksgam Valley. With this change, the road ahead is now less than 30 miles from the important Siachen Glacier.

India’s Response and Strategic Implications

Because the road is so close to the Siachen Glacier, Indian journalists and defense experts are worried about a possible threat from both China and Pakistan. In a formal protest, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said again that it does not agree with the 1963 border deal that gave China Shaksgam Valley. This protest shows how tense things are still and how sensitive territory claims are in the area.

China’s Road-Building Capability and Strategic Intentions

It’s impressive that China can build roads in such difficult terrain. Building in places with a lot of snow and high elevations suggests a big investment in engineering and logistics skills, which may have been driven by strategic goals. Analysts say that the current infrastructure doesn’t directly threaten India’s position on the Siachen Glacier or the Line of Actual Control (LAC). However, in the longer term, China may want to provide an alternative route to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which would increase its strategic flexibility in the region.

Information about Siachen Glacier

The Siachen Glacier in the eastern Karakoram range of the Himalayas is known as the highest battlefield in the world. Since 1984, both India and Pakistan have had troops stationed there. It is the second largest glacier in the world that is not in the polar regions. It is 76 km long. Even though it gets very cold (-61°C) and is over 6,000 meters high, it is home to some rare species, like the snow leopard and the brown bear. Both countries have to deal with heavy human and environmental costs. Many troops die from bad weather instead of fighting.

What is China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)?

Pakistan’s strategic $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) includes a group of building projects that are supposed to be finished by 2030. A $1.02 billion renovation project at Gwadar Port is a key part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Its goal is to increase marine access. Included are energy projects that will add 17,000 MW of power. Somewhat surprisingly, the route goes from Gwadar to Kashgar and is over 3,000 km long. Approximately 75,000 Pakistanis are working on the project, which aims to help millions of people get out of poverty and shows great promise for massive social and economic change.

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