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India carries out major works along contested border with China
- The construction of surveillance facilities comes after the announcement of joint military exercises between India and the United States
- Diplomatic observers say there is little prospect of relations between the two neighbours improving as they vie for influence
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India is carrying out major infrastructure works along its contested border with China, according to local media reports.
The development is the latest indication of the parlous state of relations between the two countries after India announced joint military exercises with the United States and made a rare criticism of Beijing’s stance on Taiwan.
Last month, an Indian Army spokesman said the work was being carried out to improve surveillance along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Himalayas. Major Rajesh Thakre told the ANI news agency: “We are equipped with the latest technology of weapons and equipment.”
Two years ago soldiers from the two countries were involved in a deadly clash in the Galwan Valley and both sides have maintained a strong military presence in the area since then despite several rounds of talks to defuse tensions.
Late last month, the Indian high commission in Sri Lanka for the first time accused China of “militarising the Taiwan Strait”, marking a rare instance of New Delhi commenting on mainland China’s actions towards Taiwan.
Beijing carried out a series of unprecedented live-fire drills encircling the island after the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi despite strong opposition from Beijing.
The comment came soon after the row over the visit to Sri Lanka by the Yuan Wang 5, a Chinese satellite monitoring vessel that India said could be used for spying.
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