Amid the ongoing standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh, China is building another bridge on the Pangong Tso. Construction of new bridge was spotted in satellite images.

Location of the bridge

• China is building the bridge near to friction points on north bank of Pangong Tso and Chushul sub-sector on south bank. The bridge is around 400 m long and 8 m wide.
• This bridge is being constructed at around 20 km east of Finger 8 on the north bank.

What is the issue?

• In India’s perception, the Line of Actual Control lies at Finger 8.
• Site of the bridge is within India’s claim line. However, this area has been under Chinese control since 1958.
• Pangong Tso is a 135-km-long landlocked lake. Around two-thirds part of the lake are under Chinese control. This bridge is near the halfway mark.

Significance of the bridge and area

Finger 4 was one among the first friction areas in current standoff. It has seen frequent clashes. Furthermore, banks of Pangong Tso lake were among most sensitive friction points in May 2020. Troops and tanks faced each other a few hundred meter closer in some places, until their disengagement in February 2021.

By: Brijesh Kumar