stability for Pakistan
ISLAMABAD:China has undertaken a significant expansion of its militaryinfrastructure along the disputed border with India, constructing orupgrading at least 16 high-altitude airfields and heliports on the Tibetanplateau. This development, revealed through an analysis of over 100satellite images by the Wall Street Journal, underscores Beijing’s intentto enhance its operational capabilities in one of the world’s mostchallenging terrains. These facilities, many situated above 14,000 feet,feature extended runways reaching up to 14,850 feet in length and includethe construction of more than 70 hardened aircraft shelters designed toprotect assets from potential strikes.
The dual-use nature of these airports allows them to accommodate a varietyof military aircraft, including advanced fighter jets, heavy transportplanes, and an array of unmanned aerial vehicles such as the Sharp Sword,Soaring Dragon, CH-4, and CH-5 drones. This infrastructure grants China asuperior advantage in rapidly deploying troops and equipment to thefrontier, while also enabling persistent surveillance over the ruggedlandscape and Indian military installations. The high-altitude environmentposes severe challenges for pilots and crews, including altitude sickness,oxygen deprivation, and unpredictable wind patterns that complicatetakeoffs and landings. To mitigate these issues, China has investedsubstantially in specialized training programs for its “Plateau Eagles”aviators and is increasingly relying on drone technology to minimize humanexposure to these risks.
This aggressive buildup has not gone unnoticed in New Delhi, prompting aswift and determined Indian response. Indian defense officials haveannounced plans to deploy additional squadrons of Rafale fighter jets toforward bases along the eastern border with China. These multi-roleaircraft, acquired from France in recent years, are expected to bolsterIndia’s air superiority in the region, countering the Chinese advancementswith enhanced strike and reconnaissance capabilities. The redeployment ofthese assets eastward is anticipated to alleviate some of the militarypressure on India’s western frontier, particularly along the line ofcontrol with Pakistan. For years, tensions between India and Pakistan havesimmered, with significant Indian forces stationed to address perceivedthreats from the west. This shift in focus could provide a measure ofrelief for Islamabad, potentially reducing the concentration of Indiantroops and allowing for a more balanced regional security dynamic.
From a broader South Asian perspective, China’s infrastructure surgereflects a long-term strategy to assert dominance in the Himalayas, aregion fraught with historical disputes dating back to the 1962 Sino-Indianwar. The enhanced bases facilitate quicker logistical support, enablingBeijing to maintain a sustained presence amid ongoing border skirmishes,such as those witnessed in the Galwan Valley in 2020. Analysts suggest thatthis development could alter the balance of power, compelling India todivert resources from other fronts, including its commitments in Kashmirand along the Pakistani border. For Pakistan, this indirect benefit arrivesat a time when diplomatic relations with China remain robust, bolstered byinitiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which furthercements Beijing’s role as a key ally.
However, the escalation raises concerns about regional stability, withpotential implications for international diplomacy. The United States andother Western powers have expressed apprehensions over China’smilitarization of the plateau, viewing it as part of a larger pattern ofassertive behavior in Asia. India, in turn, has sought to strengthen tieswith Quad partners—Australia, Japan, and the United States—tocounterbalance Chinese influence. The deployment of Rafales, equipped withadvanced meteor missiles and scalp cruise missiles, represents a tangiblestep in this direction, aiming to deter any further encroachments. Yet, thehigh-altitude arms race underscores the fragility of peace in the region,where environmental factors like thinning air and extreme cold alreadycomplicate military operations.
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As both nations continue to fortify their positions, the internationalcommunity watches closely, urging dialogue to prevent miscalculations thatcould lead to broader conflict. For Pakistan, observing from the sidelines,this diversion of Indian attention offers a strategic respite, allowingfocus on internal development and economic ties with China. Nonetheless,the interconnected nature of South Asian security means that any flare-upbetween India and China could have ripple effects, potentially drawing inother actors and complicating efforts toward lasting peace.
Source:https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-builds-high-altitude-bases-india-border
Source:https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/india-deploys-rafales-china-border-2025Tags:China, India, Military, Border
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