China’s Heliport Construction Near Arunachal Pradesh Heightens Border Tensions

New Delhi – China’s construction of a heliport just 20 kilometers east of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the sensitive ‘Fishtails’ area of Arunachal Pradesh is raising concerns in India. The facility, situated along the Gongrigabu Qu River in Tibet’s Nyingchi Prefecture, reflects China’s broader strategy to enhance its military capabilities in this remote region, reports India Today.

Satellite imagery from EOS Data Analytics indicates that work on the heliport began in December 2023 and has progressed rapidly. Recent high-resolution images from Maxar, dated September 2024, reveal that the heliport is nearing completion, with multiple hangars and an operational apron already in place.

Geospatial expert Damien Symon notes that the new heliport will significantly boost the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) capacity for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Its strategic location will enable rapid deployment of troops to the rugged areas near the LAC, including the contested Fishtails region in Arunachal Pradesh.

Although the heliport is within undisputed Chinese territory, its close proximity to the LAC is troubling for India. The Fishtails region, a longstanding flashpoint, is where both countries have differing perceptions of the border. The heliport’s 600-meter runway enhances the PLA’s operational capabilities, improving logistics and troop movement speed.

In response to China’s infrastructure development, India is expediting its own projects. The ‘Vibrant Villages’ program and the 2,400-kilometer trans-Arunachal highway are key elements of India’s strategy to improve connectivity, living conditions in border areas, and military readiness.

The completion of the heliport adds a new layer to the strategic competition between the two nations, complicating the already tense situation along the LAC.