Five years after the Galwan clash, India's border infrastructure development with China has begun to show results! India has comprehensively upgraded its border infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to enhance strategic deterrence against China. This initiative includes nearly 4,700 kilometers of new roads, tunnels, airports, and helicopter landing pads, mainly concentrated in Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and South Tibet. India's strategic realignment has shifted military focus from Pakistan to China.

Five years ago, the Galwan Valley clash was like a scar etched into the mountains of the India-China border. Today, India is accelerating infrastructure construction along the LAC, with new roads winding through snow-capped mountains and tunnels cutting through rugged terrain. This is not only an engineering feat but also a strategic game. After five years, have these infrastructures truly changed the balance of power on the border? Can India establish a firm foothold on the Himalayan plateau by doing so?

On June 15, 2020, the India-China clash in the Galwan Valley became the most severe military confrontation between the two countries in decades. The conflict arose due to India's construction of a road leading to border outposts, which China opposed, considering it a threat to its territorial claims. Despite high-level talks, the situation did not fully ease, eventually leading to intense clashes. India reported 20 soldiers killed, while China later confirmed four fatalities. This clash not only worsened bilateral relations but also prompted India to reassess its border defense, shifting its strategic focus from Pakistan to China and accelerating infrastructure development to enhance military mobility.

After the Galwan clash, India's infrastructure development in the border regions entered a fast lane. As of 2025, India has built approximately 4,700 kilometers of roads, primarily managed by the Border Roads Organisation, covering multiple phases of the India-China Border Road Project. These roads connect remote outposts in Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and South Tibet, significantly reducing the time for logistics supply. For example, the Durbuk-Shaksgam-Daulat Beg Oldi (DSDBO) highway in Ladakh, spanning 255 kilometers, has become a lifeline for Indian military transport. This road crosses high-altitude areas, ensuring that troops can quickly reach the front lines near the Karakoram Pass.

Tunnel construction is another key focus. In the Chardham Highway project in Uttarakhand, several tunnels have already been put into use, ensuring military movement even in adverse weather conditions. The Se La tunnel in South Tibet, located on a critical route to Tawang, is over 4,000 meters above sea level, providing a stable strategic passage for India throughout the year. On the plateau of Sikkim, newly built helicopter landing pads support rapid air transport, enabling the deployment of supplies and personnel to forward posts within a short period. The Vijaynagar Advanced Landing Ground in South Tibet has been upgraded to accommodate large transport aircraft, enhancing air transport capabilities.

The improvement of power facilities is equally crucial. New power grids cover more outposts, providing stable energy for radar and communication equipment, ending the previous reliance on generators. These infrastructures have enhanced India's logistical support and military mobility, especially in extreme environments such as Ladakh. Through these projects, the Indian government aims to ensure that troops can be rapidly deployed anywhere on the border to respond to potential confrontations with China, strengthening strategic deterrence.

India's border infrastructure has directly changed the military landscape. In the past, rugged terrain and high altitudes limited India's ability to move its forces, putting it at a disadvantage compared to China. Now, new roads and bridges allow heavy equipment to be transported to the front lines faster, while helicopter landing pads and airports improve the efficiency of aerial support. These facilities not only shorten response times but also enhance India's capacity for prolonged operations at border dispute points. For instance, the opening of the DSDBO highway has significantly improved supply efficiency in the Ladakh region, reducing troop deployment time from days to hours.

At the same time, the infrastructure reflects India's strategic realignment. For a long time, India focused its military resources on the Pakistan direction, but after the Galwan clash, China has become the main threat. The government has increased investment, with the budget of the Border Roads Organisation growing year after year, reaching 123.4 billion rupees in the fiscal year 2022-23. This indicates that India is trying to bridge the gap with China through infrastructure, especially in terms of mobility in the Himalayas. However, the high costs have also sparked domestic controversy, with some arguing that these funds should be prioritized for civilian needs.

Over the past five years, tensions on the India-China border have not completely subsided. While India accelerates its infrastructure development, China is also upgrading roads, airports, and dual-use facilities in Tibet, such as the construction of hundreds of "Xiaokang" villages. The competition in infrastructure between the two countries has become increasingly evident. Although through multiple rounds of talks, both sides have achieved disengagement in some areas, such as Pangong Lake, other confrontation points remain unresolved. Both countries maintain a high level of military readiness, with continuous strengthening of monitoring and patrolling at border outposts.

India's infrastructure has enhanced its deterrence, but it also faces challenges. Rising financial pressure, with border facilities potentially becoming targets in conflicts, and the complex terrain of the Himalayas posing higher maintenance requirements. In the future, the rivalry on the border may further escalate, and infrastructure will become one of the key factors determining the balance of power.

The initial effects of India's border infrastructure are already visible, but its long-term impact remains to be observed. Whether these facilities can continue to function effectively under extreme conditions depends on sustained technological and financial investment. Whether India's strategic adjustments can truly reverse its disadvantages in the competition with China remains uncertain. The future of the border situation may depend on how both sides balance military preparedness with diplomatic efforts. Behind the infrastructure race lies an ongoing struggle on the Himalayan plateau.

Five years of infrastructure development have revealed India's ambitions on the border, but whether this is enough to face China's challenges? The extension of roads and tunnels—can they bring India a strategic advantage? Dear readers, what do you think about this silent competition? Please leave your comments and share your views!

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836346805658624/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.