China’s Defense Villages Along the LAC

Chinese nationals have started to inhabit several so-called ‘defense villages’ along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the disputed border with India. These villages:

Are part of China’s strategy to fortify its claims along the LAC.
Have structures including homes, administrative buildings, and military outposts.
Serve a dual purpose of habitation and strategic advantage.
Are seen as a way to assert Chinese claims over certain areas along the LAC.

The legality of these villages is under scrutiny since they are part of China’s land border law, which came into effect in 2022. This development is a concern for India due to the implications it has for the status quo along the LAC.

India has responded with the Vibrant Village Programme to develop its own border areas, focusing on modernizing infrastructure, enhancing connectivity, and improving economic activities, with some villages also aimed at boosting tourism.

In the broader context, these developments are part of ongoing infrastructure and connectivity enhancements by both countries along the contested border region.

SRIRAM’s