Tawang Clash: Why Tawang Is Strategically Important for India

 

Tawang, located on the India-China border, is situated at an altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level. It is strategically very important for both India and China.
This area has been witness to many wars between India and China in 1962. Then China had entered this area but then it retreated.
Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in 2016, "Tawang is very important religiously and strategically. It reminds of the 1962 India-China war."

Tawang is on China-Bhutan border

Experts believe that Tawang is a very important area as it is on the China-Bhutan border. China is also trying to increase its access to these difficult areas so that it can gain strategic advantage.
In November 2013, China had built a road to Tibet near Arunachal Pradesh. With the help of this road, this area connects to China's highway network. The Chinese government had announced to spend 200 billion yuan in the road network around Lhasa.

India is working on infra

India is also working on infrastructure in the area for security purposes. In the year 2016-17, the Indian government had given approval to improve 610 kilometer long road.
Apart from this, there is a plan to build a 52 kilometer long road in Taksing village for better movement of the army.

Several bridges upgraded

Several bridges connecting this area of Arunachal have also been upgraded. Apart from this, the work of Sela tunnel is also going to be completed, which will be the world's highest two-lane tunnel at 13,000 feet.

Sela Tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity

Sela Tunnel is an under-construction road tunnel at 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) which will ensure all-weather connectivity between Guwahati in Assam and Tawang in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Sela tunnel project in China-bordering Arunachal Pradesh that will allow faster deployment of weapons and soldiers to forward areas in the Tawang sector.
But at present the only way to reach Tawang is by road. The nearest railway station from Tawang is also 330 km away. Helicopters reach there but their operation is also dependent on weather conditions.