India wants to significantly arm itself on its disputed border with China. Among other things, about two billion rupees (about 23 million euros) will be invested in the construction of an armed forces airfield. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone virtually on Tuesday, as announced by the Defense Ministry in New Delhi. In total, India has invested around 80 billion rupees (900 million euros) in 295 infrastructure projects on the border since 2021.
Relations between the nuclear neighbors have been tense – especially since a deadly incident on the Himalayan border about three years ago. Soldiers from both countries attacked each other with stones, sticks and fists. This is the worst incident in recent decades. According to official figures, at least 20 Indians and four Chinese were killed.
The two countries are arguing over a border in the largely uninhabited mountains at an altitude of 4,500 to 5,500 meters. Their shared border is about 3,500 kilometers long. Since the incident in the summer of 2020, both sides have increased their forces and invested in infrastructure on the border. Disputes between rival Asian countries over border lines led to a brief war in 1962, which China won.
