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Source: The post China’s ‘Xiaokang’ border defence villages has been created, based on the article “Explained: China’s ‘Xiaokang’ border defence villages along the LAC, now being occupied” published in “Indian express” on 17th February 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 2-International relations- India and its neighbourhood- relations.
News: The article discusses how China is building and now occupying “Xiaokang” villages along the India-China border for both civilian and potential military use, prompting concerns.
What are Xiaokang border defence villages?
Construction and Location: China has built 628 Xiaokang villages along the India-China border, including sensitive areas like Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
Dual Purpose: These villages are designed for dual-use, serving both civilian and potential military functions.
Infrastructure: The villages feature substantial buildings, mostly double-storey and spacious, indicating a significant investment.
Strategic Intent: The placement of these villages along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC) is seen as a method for China to assert territorial claims.
Legal Framework: China introduced a law in 2021, effective from January 1, 2022, focusing on the protection and exploitation of its land border areas, which encompasses these border defence villages.
How is India responding?
Vibrant Villages Programme: India launched this initiative in 2022, focusing on developing border villages to counter China’s village program.
Development Goals: The program aims to modernize 663 Indian border villages, making them not only habitable but also attractive as tourist destinations.
Pilot Project: In the first phase, 17 villages along the China border, including in strategic locations like Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, are being developed.
Specific Focus Areas: In Arunachal Pradesh, villages such as Zemithang, Taksing, Chayang Tajo, Tuting, and Kibithu are identified for development.
Infrastructure Enhancement: Alongside the village development, India is improving border infrastructure with new roads, bridges, and helipads to strengthen connectivity and response capabilities.
Way forward
To ensure regional stability, India and China need to maintain open communication and diplomatic efforts. Balancing infrastructure developments, like India’s Vibrant Villages Programme and China’s Xiaokang villages, with peaceful negotiations, is crucial to resolving border disputes and reducing tensions along the Line of Actual Control.
Question for practice:
Examine the primary goals and strategies of India’s Vibrant Villages Programme in response to China’s construction of Xiaokang villages along the India-China border?
