The latest iteration of ORF’s National Security Dialogues – a monthly event – aims to discuss the trajectory of India’s border infrastructure along the LAC. Much of India’s security thinking has been dominated by territorial threats to sovereignty originating from the northern borders. The conclusion of the IndiaChina War of 1962 marked the establishment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) – a line demarcating territories controlled by India and China. However, border tensions have remained a common phenomenon characterizing IndiaChina relations. Notably, skirmishes peaked on 15th June 2020 as Indian and Chinese soldiers clashed at the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, even causing casualties on both sides. This resulted in IndiaChina relations plummeting significantly. While several rounds of dialogue have been underway between the Indian and Chinese militaries to restore ‘normalcy’ along the LAC, the clashes at Galwan also marked a shift in India’s approach to its borders along the LAC. India has placed critical emphasis on efforts to strengthen border infrastructure, along with ramping up the deployment of armed forces and border security forces along the contested lines of the IndiaChina border.

The key question guiding the discussions is: What has been the trajectory of India’s border infrastructure along the LAC? The panelists will examine whether India’s border infrastructure along the LAC has evolved in tandem with the changing security challenges emanating from China. What is the status of India’s border infrastructure along the LAC? How can India address the border infrastructure differential visàvis along the LAC? Can the emergence of new technologies aid in efforts to ramp up border infrastructure along the LAC?

Speakers:
Lt. Gen. S.L. Narasimhan, Adjunct Distinguished Fellow, Gateway House
Amrita Nayak Dutta, Journalist, The Indian Express
M.S. Pratibha, Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses
Nitin A. Gokhale, Founder, BharatShakti.in

Moderator:
Manoj Joshi, Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation

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