High-altitude tunnel escalates tensions between India and China

A tunnel built in the high mountains of northeastern India has sparked tension in a border dispute between New Delhi and Beijing.

The Sela Tunnel, opened by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently, is praised in India for its engineering achievement. It cuts through the Himalayas at around 13,000 feet (3,900 meters) and provides the military with quicker, "all-weather" access to a tense border with China.

Beijing has taken notice of the ongoing conflict with New Delhi regarding their disputed 2,100-mile border. This disagreement between the two nuclear-armed countries has led to clashes in recent years.

In 2020, tensions escalated to hand-to-hand combat, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers in Aksai Chin-Ladakh, located in the western part of the border.

Decades ago, the dispute between China and India escalated into a war.

China also claims ownership of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, where the tunnel was built, even though it has been under Indian control for a long time.

Chinese officials have criticized the tunnel project and Prime Minister Modi's visit to the state, accusing India of disrupting peace along the border.

Last week, a spokesperson from the Defense Ministry stated that they urge India to stop any actions that could make the border issue more complex. The Chinese military is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity, referring to Arunachal Pradesh as "Zangnan" or South Tibet.

India responded on Tuesday, strongly rejecting Beijing's "absurd claims" and asserting that the area "is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India."

The US State Department also showed support on Wednesday during a news conference, affirming India's sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh and expressing firm opposition to "any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments" along the line of actual control (LAC), or de facto border.

China's President Xi Jinping and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend a session meeting during the 10th BRICS summit on July 27, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

China's President Xi Jinping and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend a session meeting during the 10th BRICS summit on July 27, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Mike Hutchings/AFP/Getty Images

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The recent disagreement highlights the underlying tensions in the relationship between India and China, the two largest countries in Asia. This conflict comes at a time when India is nearing national elections, where it is anticipated that Modi's Hindu nationalist agenda will receive strong support.

Under Modi's leadership, India has seen a rise in nationalism, mirroring a similar trend in China under President Xi Jinping. Both countries have adopted assertive foreign policies, but efforts have been made to reduce border tensions following a deadly clash in 2020.

Modi traveled to Bhutan on Friday to strengthen the partnership between India and Bhutan. Bhutan, a remote Himalayan country, shares a border with Arunachal Pradesh and also has a disputed border with China. India has been cautious about any possible agreement between the leaders of Bhutan and China regarding this border issue.

Indian soldiers stand guard along a highway in Ladakh in 2022.

Indian soldiers stand guard along a highway in Ladakh in 2022.

Yawar Nazir/Getty Images

Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh earlier this month and he was impressed by the Sela Tunnel, calling it an "engineering marvel." He also highlighted several other development projects, especially those focused on border infrastructure.

India's government is focusing on developing territory along the contested border, with a particular emphasis on projects in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. Last year, the Border Roads Organization initiated 118 projects to construct infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and airfields, with over half of them located in these regions near the disputed border with China. This shift in strategy goes against previous beliefs that leaving the harsh terrain undeveloped would act as a deterrent against potential invasion or encroachment from China.

Beijing has accused India of making the boundary issue more complicated and causing disruptions in the border areas between the two countries.

However, experts believe that India is trying to address an imbalance that has been created over the years. China's extensive road and infrastructure development has given it a strategic advantage over New Delhi in deploying troops to border regions. Additionally, China has built numerous "xiaokang" villages in these areas, which it claims are not intended to assert its territorial claims.

Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust

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Byron Chong, a research associate at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy’s Center on Asia and Globalization in Singapore, mentioned that India is now realizing the advantages of border infrastructure. As a result, the country is increasing its construction efforts to keep up with China. However, this may lead to heightened tensions with China and prompt Beijing to intensify its own construction projects.

One particular project that has drawn attention is the Sela Tunnel, connecting Assam to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. This area is significant due to its location along the line of actual control, making it a sensitive area. The Indian government has stated that the tunnel project will enhance the readiness of the Armed Forces.

In late 2022, there was a non-lethal scuffle at Tawang between the two sides, as reported by Indian authorities. New Delhi then accused China's People's Liberation Army troops of trying to change the status quo by attempting to cross the LAC.

Tawang holds significant importance to Beijing due to its connection to Tibetan Buddhism and China's concerns regarding the succession of the Dalai Lama, according to Manoj Kewalramani, who leads Indo-Pacific studies at the Takshashila Institution research center in Bangalore.

The Dalai Lama, who is 88 years old, has been living in India since 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet. In Tibet, China has restricted religious activities and tried to take control over Tibetan Buddhism.

According to the Dalai Lama, the current pressure on Arunachal Pradesh is due to China's anticipation of a future event. China is expecting India to react a certain way and is concerned about the possible consequences.

Even though tensions have been rising along the border and China is working to solidify its territorial claims, both sides have been making diplomatic attempts to ease the situation after the violent clash in 2020.

Last August, during a meeting at the BRICS summit in South Africa, Modi and Xi agreed to step up their efforts to reduce tensions.

The Indian and Chinese militaries have also continued to hold border talks, the most recent of which took place last month, when they reiterated a commitment to “maintain peace and tranquility.”

Editor's P/S:

The opening of the Sela Tunnel in the Himalayas has escalated tensions between India and China, highlighting the ongoing border dispute between the two nuclear-armed nations. China's claims over Arunachal Pradesh, where the tunnel is located, have drawn criticism from India, which has asserted its sovereignty over the region. The tunnel's strategic significance for India's military has raised concerns in Beijing, leading to accusations of disrupting peace and a call for India to cease actions that could further complicate the border issue.

Amidst the heightened tensions, both India and China have taken steps to address the situation diplomatically. The recent meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi at the BRICS summit and ongoing border talks between the militaries indicate a desire to ease tensions. However, the underlying territorial dispute and China's ongoing infrastructure development in the border areas suggest that the conflict remains unresolved. The potential for further escalation remains a concern, highlighting the need for continued diplomatic efforts and a peaceful resolution to the border dispute. escalated tensions between the two countries. It remains to be seen how this conflict will play out in the future, but it is clear that the border dispute between India and China will continue to shape their relationship for years to come.