China is expanding its infrastructure along its western borders, specifically in Tibet and Xinjiang, to enhance its ability to project military power. This includes the construction and upgrading of airports, heliports, roads, rail, and other infrastructure. The expansion is driven by perceived external and internal security threats, including tensions with India along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and China's growing economic and security interests in neighboring countries. China's investment in air infrastructure includes the construction and upgrading of 37 airports and heliports in Tibet and Xinjiang since 2017. The country is also developing a robust ground transportation network, including highways and railways, to improve connectivity and facilitate the movement of troops and equipment. The infrastructure expansion is part of China's broader efforts to modernize its military and enhance its power projection capabilities in the region [4109ae8d].
China's infrastructure development near the India-China border has been a cause for concern. The completion of the G216 highway, an alternate route to the G219 highway, will allow for the rapid mobilization of People's Liberation Army troops during the ongoing military standoff between China and India. The G216 highway passes close to Aksai Chin, a region claimed by India as part of Ladakh. Additionally, China is constructing another highway, the G695, which will come even closer to the Line of Actual Control where both sides have their forces deployed. These highways could give China an advantage in the mobilization of forces through difficult terrain [167b6f32].
China's infrastructure expansion along its western borders, including in Tibet and Xinjiang, is part of its broader efforts to modernize its military and enhance its power projection capabilities in the region. The construction and upgrading of airports, heliports, roads, and railways aim to improve connectivity and facilitate the movement of troops and equipment. This infrastructure expansion is driven by perceived security threats and China's growing economic and security interests in neighboring countries. It is also a response to tensions with India along the Line of Actual Control. China has invested in the construction and upgrading of 37 airports and heliports in Tibet and Xinjiang since 2017, as well as the development of highways and railways. These infrastructure projects have raised concerns about China's expanding influence and its potential impact on regional security [4109ae8d].
China is not only building a new highway near its border with India, but it is also planning to construct the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway (CKU-R), which could potentially give China a foothold in reaching India's border. The CKU-R project aims to connect Kashgar with Osh and Andijan, and eventually link up with the European railway network through Turkmenistan, Iran, and Turkey. This railway will not only boost China's presence in Central Asia and the South Caucasus but also enhance its Europe-bound freight transportation capabilities. However, the project faces several hurdles, including political and financial problems in Kyrgyzstan, concerns about radical terror groups in the Fergana Valley, and fears of Chinese expansionism [bb99415b].
The military standoff between China and India in eastern Ladakh continues, with both sides having a significant number of troops deployed. China's infrastructure development along the border is likely to tie down a significant portion of the Indian Army. Furthermore, China has recently reasserted its claim to Jammu and Kashmir, a region also claimed by Pakistan, after India's Supreme Court upheld a decision to strip the region of its special administrative status. The Indian government has faced criticism for not directly addressing the threat posed by China's activities at the border [167b6f32].
The construction of the CKU-R railway raises concerns about China's expanding influence and presence in Central Asia and its potential impact on India's security. It highlights the geopolitical implications of China's infrastructure projects and its ambitions to establish strategic connections across multiple regions. The railway could potentially provide China with a direct route to India's border, which has significant implications for India's national security [bb99415b].
India has also been focusing on infrastructure development near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) bordering China. The pace of Indian infrastructure building has historically been slow due to financial and doctrinal constraints, but it has accelerated in the past 20 years. The Indian government has responded well to the changes in its strategic environment by improving the preparedness, resiliency, and capacity of its road and air infrastructure in the region. Rail infrastructure, however, continues to lag behind. The increase in infrastructure development is attributed to strategic compulsions brought about by Chinese actions related to the LAC. The Indian government has managed to expand infrastructure networks to improve coverage of the LAC in the last 10 to 15 years, with vast improvements to the road network and increased number of tunnels and bridges. Air infrastructure has also been improved, leveraging India's topography. Rail connectivity remains a challenge due to cost and complexity. The Indian government has overcome hindrances such as doctrine, terrain, bureaucracy, and finance to accelerate infrastructure development near the LAC. The changes in strategic environment, including Chinese incursions and diplomatic stasis, have prompted India to prioritize infrastructure development. The focus on infrastructure aims to improve supply chain resiliency, force induction time, and general preparedness. While the overall pace and level of Indian infrastructure does not match that of China, it has significantly improved in recent years [1be69cbb].