The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has bolstered its infrastructure along the India-China border by extending power supply to remote and high-altitude outposts, according to an official Chinese military newspaper. This development could significantly enhance the operational readiness of Chinese troops stationed in harsh conditions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
A recent report by PLA Daily revealed that outposts in Xaidulla, located in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Ngari Prefecture in Tibet—both key strategic areas along the China-India border—are now fully connected to the national power grid.
“The electricity and renewable energy used by the vast majority of border posts provide strong support for troops to stay warm and safe through the winter. It marks a structural change in the energy security of all high-elevation border defence outposts in the military,” the report stated.
The upgraded power infrastructure addresses long-standing logistical challenges for Chinese troops in high-altitude regions, such as access to drinking water, heating, bathing, and oxygen. This initiative aligns with China’s broader military-civilian fusion strategy, which aims to integrate civilian and military resources to strengthen national defence.
Military-Civilian Fusion Strategy
As part of this strategy, the PLA and China’s National Energy Administration launched a project in 2016 to expand power grids for military use and connect them to the national energy network. By January 2022, more than 700 border posts had been integrated into the national grid, according to earlier reports by PLA Daily.
The availability of a stable and efficient power supply has enhanced the capabilities of battle equipment, command and control systems, and energy-intensive information devices, significantly improving the troops’ emergency response capabilities.
Strategic Locations: Xaidulla and Ngari
Xaidulla, situated at an elevation of approximately 3,700 meters (12,139 feet), lies near Aksai Chin, a region central to the long-standing border dispute between India and China. This area witnessed the deadliest clash between the two nations in decades, the 2020 Galwan Valley skirmish, which resulted in the deaths of twenty Indian soldiers and casualties of Chinese troops. The incident plunged bilateral relations to their lowest point in years.
Ngari Prefecture, on the other hand, is a mineral-rich region in western Tibet that serves as a critical transport and logistics hub. Its strategic importance extends to its role as a bridgehead to South Asia.
Implications for India
India has taken note of these developments with concern. The modernization of the PLA’s logistics and infrastructure, including improved oxygen supply for soldiers at high-elevation posts, underscores China’s intent to fortify its position along the LAC. These advancements could provide the PLA with a significant advantage in terms of endurance and operational efficiency in the region’s extreme conditions.
While India and China have made some progress in de-escalating tensions along the border, including an agreement reached in October to manage military patrols, the enhanced infrastructure on the Chinese side could alter the strategic balance.
The PLA’s push to modernize its border outposts and integrate them with the national power grid highlights Beijing’s zeal to strengthen its military presence along the India-China border. As China continues to enhance the operational readiness of its troops in these contested areas, India may need to reassess its own border infrastructure and strategic preparedness to maintain equilibrium along the LAC.
Team BharatShakti
