India wants to significantly arm itself on its disputed border with China. Among other things, around two billion rupees (around 23 million euros) will be invested in an airfield for the armed forces. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone virtually on Tuesday, the Defense Ministry in New Delhi announced. In total, India has invested around 80 billion rupees (900 million euros) in 295 border infrastructure projects since 2021.
Relations between the neighboring nuclear powers are tense – especially since there was a deadly incident on the Himalayan border about three years ago. Soldiers from both countries attacked each other with stones, sticks and fists. It was the worst incident of its kind in decades. According to official data, there were at least 20 Indians and four Chinese killed.
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The two countries argue on the border, in the practically uninhabited mountains, at an altitude of 4,500 to 5,500 meters. Their common border is around 3,500 kilometers long. Since the incident in the summer of 2020, both sides have increased their troops and invested in border infrastructure. The dispute between Asian rivals over the border line had already led to a short war in 1962, won by China.