The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) warned on Thursday that India is closely monitoring China's construction of a bridge on the Pangong Tso (lake) in eastern Ladakh, which is in "occupied territory." According to security sources, a broad bridge connecting both sides of the lake is currently under construction, which will significantly reduce the time it takes for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to move troops and armoured vehicles, while a smaller bridge built earlier this year was intended to support construction of the main one.

Official sources stated the big bridge was just getting started, and the little bridge, which appeared on satellite photographs in January, was not a "permanent bridge" but a bailey bridge to support the main one's development.

"There is this issue of talks as well as the bridge. On the talks part of it, we have been pretty clear, we have been saying the same thing repeatedly, and we have had various rounds of conversations with the Chinese side at different levels diplomatic and military side," Bagchi said.He further said, "We have seen reports on this bridge or a second bridge... we are monitoring the situation. Of course, we always felt it was occupied...Talks on with the Chinese side."The MEA spokesperson also highlighted the talks between India and China at different levels, including during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in March."

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"EAM conveyed our expectations to him... as EAM had said then, the friction and tensions that arise from China`s deployments since 2020 cannot be reconciled with a normal relationship between two neighbours, so we will continue to remain engaged with the Chinese side both at the diplomatic and military levels, to ensure that the directions given by the two ministers are implemented fully," Bagchi said.

Watch | Gravitas: China begins to build second bridge in Eastern Ladakh

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The MEA spokesperson said he would not be able to discuss the matter from a military standpoint and that the Ministry of Defence would be in a better position to address the ramifications. Following a spike in tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the summer of 2020, notably in Pangong Tso, India and China held 15 rounds of disengagement negotiations to alleviate the situation.

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The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) warned on Thursday that India is closely monitoring China's construction of a bridge on the Pangong Tso (lake) in eastern Ladakh, which is in "occupied territory.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) warned on Thursday that India is closely monitoring China's construction of a bridge on the Pangong Tso (lake) in eastern Ladakh, which is in "occupied territory." According to security sources, a broad bridge connecting both sides of the lake is currently under construction, which will significantly reduce the time it takes for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to move troops and armoured vehicles, while a smaller bridge built earlier this year was intended to support construction of the main one. Official sources stated the big bridge was just getting started, and the little bridge, which appeared on satellite photographs in January, was not a "permanent bridge" but a bailey bridge to support the main one's development. "There is this issue of talks as well as the bridge. On the talks part of it, we have been pretty clear, we have been saying the same thing repeatedly, and we have had various rounds of conversations with the Chinese side at different levels diplomatic and military side," Bagchi said.He further said, "We have seen reports on this bridge or a second bridge... we are monitoring the situation. Of course, we always felt it was occupied...Talks on with the Chinese side."The MEA spokesperson also highlighted the talks between India and China at different levels, including during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in March." #WATCH | We have seen reports on this bridge or a second bridge... we are monitoring the situation. Of course, we always felt it was occupied...Talks on with the Chinese side: MEA spox Arindam Bagchi on reports of another bridge at Pangong Lake pic.twitter.com/h3LcE0astU — ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2022 × "EAM conveyed our expectations to him... as EAM had said then, the friction and tensions that arise from China`s deployments since 2020 cannot be reconciled with a normal relationship between two neighbours, so we will continue to remain engaged with the Chinese side both at the diplomatic and military levels, to ensure that the directions given by the two ministers are implemented fully," Bagchi said. Watch | Gravitas: China begins to build second bridge in Eastern Ladakh The MEA spokesperson said he would not be able to discuss the matter from a military standpoint and that the Ministry of Defence would be in a better position to address the ramifications. Following a spike in tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the summer of 2020, notably in Pangong Tso, India and China held 15 rounds of disengagement negotiations to alleviate the situation. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pangong bridge construction: China building pangong bridge in occupied territory, says India

Amid continued tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control(LAC)&nbsp;in eastern Ladakh, the Indian government told Parliament that China has been building a bridge on Pangong lake which it said was "constructed in areas that have continued to be under the illegal occupation of China since 1962."

"Government of India has never accepted this illegal occupation," India's minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan told Parliament on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/lac-row-chinas-disengagement-plan-deployment-in-eastern-ladakh-436006">Also Read in Pics |&nbsp;LAC row: China's 'disengagement' plan &amp; deployment in eastern Ladakh</a>

On the ongoing talks with China in eastern Ladakh, the minister said it is being guided by three key principles - "both sides should strictly respect and observe the LAC, neither side should attempt to alter the status quo unilaterally and all agreements between the two sides must be fully abided by in their entirety."

"The government has made it clear on several occasions that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India and we expect other countries to respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the minister added.

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"China continues to be in illegal occupation of approximately 38,000 sq kms of Indian territory in the Union Territory of Ladakh for the last six decades," the minister said in a written reply to a question in India's lower house of parliament.

"Further, under the so-called China-Pakistan 'Boundary Agreement' signed in 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq kms&nbsp;of Indian territory in Shaksgam Valley from areas illegally occupied by Pakistan in Union Territory of Ladakh to China," Muraleedharan said, adding, "The fact that the entire Union Territories of Jammu &amp; Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India has been clearly conveyed to Pakistani and Chinese authorities several times."

The minister added that India has never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan "Boundary Agreement" of 1963, calling it "illegal" and "invalid".

On reports suggesting China has been renaming some places in India's Arunachal Pradesh state, the minister said it was a "futile exercise" while adding that the state "has always been, is and will always be an integral part of India".

The government told parliament that it intends to improve infrastructure along the border areas to facilitate economic development and is taking necessary steps to ensure India's security interests are protected.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Amid continued tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control(LAC) in eastern Ladakh, the Indian government told Parliament that China has been building a bridge on Pangong lake which it said was "constructed in areas that have continued to be under the illegal occupation of China since 1962.

Amid continued tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control(LAC) in eastern Ladakh, the Indian government told Parliament that China has been building a bridge on Pangong lake which it said was "constructed in areas that have continued to be under the illegal occupation of China since 1962." "Government of India has never accepted this illegal occupation," India's minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan told Parliament on Friday. Also Read in Pics | LAC row: China's 'disengagement' plan & deployment in eastern Ladakh On the ongoing talks with China in eastern Ladakh, the minister said it is being guided by three key principles - "both sides should strictly respect and observe the LAC, neither side should attempt to alter the status quo unilaterally and all agreements between the two sides must be fully abided by in their entirety." "The government has made it clear on several occasions that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India and we expect other countries to respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the minister added. Also Read in Pics: In dogfight over Himalayas between India's Rafale vs China's J-20 stealth fighter, who wins? "China continues to be in illegal occupation of approximately 38,000 sq kms of Indian territory in the Union Territory of Ladakh for the last six decades," the minister said in a written reply to a question in India's lower house of parliament. "Further, under the so-called China-Pakistan 'Boundary Agreement' signed in 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq kms of Indian territory in Shaksgam Valley from areas illegally occupied by Pakistan in Union Territory of Ladakh to China," Muraleedharan said, adding, "The fact that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India has been clearly conveyed to Pakistani and Chinese authorities several times." The minister added that India has never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan "Boundary Agreement" of 1963, calling it "illegal" and "invalid". On reports suggesting China has been renaming some places in India's Arunachal Pradesh state, the minister said it was a "futile exercise" while adding that the state "has always been, is and will always be an integral part of India". The government told parliament that it intends to improve infrastructure along the border areas to facilitate economic development and is taking necessary steps to ensure India's security interests are protected. (With inputs from Agencies)

China's bridge on Pangong lake is illegal occupation, says Indian government to Parliament

China is reportedly constructing a new bridge across Pangong Tso lake in eastern Ladakh. However, it is being constructed across a part of the lake that falls within Chinese territory, as per the reports.&nbsp;

The bridge will help China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) to deploy troops closer to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Also, the movement of troops is expected to be faster between the north and south banks of the lake.&nbsp;

The Indian Express reported citing sources that the bridge is being constructed more than 20km east of Finger 8 on the lake's north bank. Important to note here that India says Finger 8 denotes the LAC.&nbsp;

Apart from the media reports, satellite imagery accessed by geo-intelligence expert Damien Symon indicates the same development in eastern Ladakh.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-third-news-company-shutters-amid-chinese-crackdown-on-dissent-441939">Hong Kong: Third news company shutters amid Chinese crackdown on dissent</a>

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Media reports of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PangongTso?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PangongTso</a> allege a new bridge is under construction connecting the north &amp; south bank of the lake, in turn enhancing road connectivity for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a>'s troops in the area, GEOINT of the area identifies the location &amp; progress of the alleged structure <a href="https://t.co/b9budT3DZZ">https://t.co/b9budT3DZZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/IdBl5rkDhR">pic.twitter.com/IdBl5rkDhR</a>
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Indian infrastructure

Recently, the Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 24 bridges and three roads constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in four States and two Union Territories of the country.&nbsp;

These bridges and roads are constructed with an aim to ensure the swift movement of troops at borders with China and Pakistan. It is understood that the Flag Hill-Dokla road will reduce the travel time for Indian troops to reach the Dokla area near the Doklam plateau where a stand-off took place between Indian and Chinese armies in 2017.&nbsp;

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India-China standoff

The ties between India and China deteriorated after in June 2020, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in action in a violent faceoff in the Galwan river area. Meanwhile, India said China suffered more than 40 casualties but China reiterates says four of its soldiers were killed.&nbsp;

After over a year later in July last year, India and China agreed to mutually withdraw 2km from the clash site.

On the other hand, a latest report an India-based news agency ANI, citing sources, stated that China has deployed around 60,000 troops opposite the Indian territory in Ladakh.&nbsp;

In May last year, the Indian Defence Ministry in its Year-End review had stated that unilateral and provocative actions by the Chinese to change the status quo by force, in more than one area on the LAC, has been responded to as an adequate measure.&nbsp;

As per the ANI report, to resolve the issue, the militaries of the two countries have been engaged in dialogue at various levels. After sustained joint efforts, disengagement was carried out at many locations.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

China is reportedly constructing a new bridge across Pangong Tso lake in eastern Ladakh. However, it is being constructed across a part of the lake that falls within Chinese territory, as per the reports.

China is reportedly constructing a new bridge across Pangong Tso lake in eastern Ladakh. However, it is being constructed across a part of the lake that falls within Chinese territory, as per the reports. The bridge will help China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) to deploy troops closer to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Also, the movement of troops is expected to be faster between the north and south banks of the lake. The Indian Express reported citing sources that the bridge is being constructed more than 20km east of Finger 8 on the lake's north bank. Important to note here that India says Finger 8 denotes the LAC. Apart from the media reports, satellite imagery accessed by geo-intelligence expert Damien Symon indicates the same development in eastern Ladakh. ALSO READ | Hong Kong: Third news company shutters amid Chinese crackdown on dissent Media reports of #PangongTso allege a new bridge is under construction connecting the north & south bank of the lake, in turn enhancing road connectivity for #China's troops in the area, GEOINT of the area identifies the location & progress of the alleged structure https://t.co/b9budT3DZZ pic.twitter.com/IdBl5rkDhR — Damien Symon (@detresfa_) January 3, 2022 × Indian infrastructure Recently, the Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 24 bridges and three roads constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in four States and two Union Territories of the country. These bridges and roads are constructed with an aim to ensure the swift movement of troops at borders with China and Pakistan. It is understood that the Flag Hill-Dokla road will reduce the travel time for Indian troops to reach the Dokla area near the Doklam plateau where a stand-off took place between Indian and Chinese armies in 2017. ALSO READ | South Korea says man who crossed DMZ was previous defector from North Korea India-China standoff The ties between India and China deteriorated after in June 2020, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in action in a violent faceoff in the Galwan river area. Meanwhile, India said China suffered more than 40 casualties but China reiterates says four of its soldiers were killed. After over a year later in July last year, India and China agreed to mutually withdraw 2km from the clash site. On the other hand, a latest report an India-based news agency ANI, citing sources, stated that China has deployed around 60,000 troops opposite the Indian territory in Ladakh. In May last year, the Indian Defence Ministry in its Year-End review had stated that unilateral and provocative actions by the Chinese to change the status quo by force, in more than one area on the LAC, has been responded to as an adequate measure. As per the ANI report, to resolve the issue, the militaries of the two countries have been engaged in dialogue at various levels. After sustained joint efforts, disengagement was carried out at many locations. (With inputs from agencies)

China is constructing a new bridge on Pangong Tso lake, satellite imagery shows development: Reports