October 16, 2024: Recent satellite imagery has unveiled significant construction activity by China near Pangong Tso Lake, exacerbating concerns amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts between India and China to manage their tense relations along the disputed border. The images, captured on October 9 by US-based Maxar Technologies, reveal the development of a large settlement approximately 38 kilometers east of a critical standoff point from the 2020 clashes.

While this new settlement lies outside the area claimed by India, its proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) heightens apprehensions about China’s expanding presence in this strategically sensitive region. The Pangong Tso Lake, known as the highest saltwater lake in the world, has long been a flashpoint in the enduring border disputes between the two nations.

The satellite images indicate that over 17 hectares of land are being rapidly transformed, with over 100 buildings under construction, including residential and administrative structures. Y. Nithiyanandam, Professor and Head of the Geospatial Research Programme at the Takshashila Institution, commented, "The open spaces and flattened land suggest plans for parks or sports facilities, which could further establish this settlement as a permanent presence."

Additionally, Nithiyanandam noted a 150-meter-long rectangular strip in the southeast corner of the site, speculating it might be intended for helicopter operations, further emphasizing the settlement’s potential military utility.

The discovery of this construction comes at a time when both nations are attempting to stabilize their relations following years of escalating tensions along the LAC. The construction activities not only highlight China's ongoing border infrastructure buildup but also underscore the fragility of the diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating hostilities.