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Following the disengagement between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh’s Depsang and Demchok regions earlier this year, further de-escalation was highlighted as a key priority for future India-China discussions. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar outlined these expectations in Parliament earlier this month: “The immediate priority was to ensure disengagement from friction points so that there would be no further untoward incidents or clashes, this has been fully achieved… The next priority would be to consider de-escalation that would address the massing of troops along the LAC…”
High-resolution satellite images sourced exclusively by India Today’s Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) team show signs of disengagement but provide no clear indication of de-escalation from China’s side.
China continues to upgrade its military and dual-use infrastructure in disputed regions near the north bank of Pangong Lake, even as both nations engage at various levels to improve bilateral ties.
Satellite imagery from space firm Maxar Technologies also reveals, for the first time, new camps constructed by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in rear positions in Depsang, after vacating forward positions during the disengagement process.
Both sides recently agreed to restore the May 2020 status quo in the remaining friction areas of Depsang and Demchok.
Disengagement at Pangong Lake was achieved in February 2021 with the creation of buffer zones. However, the PLA appears to be rapidly fortifying existing positions within disputed zones on the north bank of the lake that were jointly patrolled before the 2020 standoff.
“It seems, the Chinese, having pulled back, are consolidating their positions. While India still claims Sirijap and Khurnak as its territory, a lot of water has flowed in the Indus since 1959–1962,” said defence expert Col. (Retd.) Ajay Raina.
Sirijap and Khurnak areas have historical significance, as India considers them part of Ladakh but lost effective control during the 1959-1962 period.
CONSTRUCTION AND STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS
The Chinese construction work that began in September continues at several sites, despite voices from Beijing calling to normalise relations. “The images reveal dual-use infrastructure that appears to serve both civilian and military purposes,” a military source told India Today.
Dr Y Nithiyanandam, Head of the Geospatial Research Programme at Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru, analysed the satellite imagery covering Sirijap and Khurnak. He observed expansion, fortification efforts, and changes in ground strategy at Khurnak, as well as an under-development drainage network and lake reclamation at Sirijap.
OSINT analyst Damien Symon was the first to highlight the recent changes with sharing low-resolution satellite images on X (formerly Twitter). He highlighted ongoing construction in areas held by China “beyond the current buffer zones”.
“The images are a testament to the consolidation and reorganization of deployments in what was once a traditional frontier and shared natural pastureland by the units of the Southern Xinjiang Military District under the Western Command of the People’s Liberation Army,” said Nature Desai, an observer of the Indo-Tibetan frontier.
Desai also remarked that the Ote Plains, once a winter pasture for Ladakhi Changpas and Tibetan nomads, have become focal points in China’s salami-slicing strategy along Pangong Lake.
Dr Nithiyanandam observed significant redevelopment efforts at Sirijap in recent months. “Recent months have seen a surge in development activity at the site. More permanent and larger structures have been constructed, replacing the previously scattered and temporary buildings visible in earlier satellite images.”
Military sources detailed the infrastructure near Pangong: “The facility is connected to a border village and features roads along a water body, including a bridge or dam-like structure. A small helipad suggests its use for emergencies or VIP movement. Additionally, a newly-built straight road improves mobility but lacks cover, making it vulnerable to aerial reconnaissance or airstrikes.”
Dr Nithiyanandam also noted changes at Khurnak, including the demolition of old structures within the fort complex. “By late September 2024, the complex was heavily fortified with tall walls and wide perimeter roads encircling it. Nearby, a 100 x 100-metre helipad has replaced the earlier construction site,” he added.
“The rapid transformation near Sirijap and Rimuchang highlights a focus on enhancing capacity for quick induction via boats along the Pangong frontier. Meanwhile, the infrastructure in the Ote Plains near Khurnak Fort appears to support units stationed in the area,” said Nature Desai.
PLA CAMPS MOVE BACK IN DEPSANG
Satellite images taken on December 19, show the construction of a new PLA facility in rear positions in Depsang, approximately 3 km north of their earlier position and about 7 km south of the Chip Chap River. Further south, another facility has been established approximately 10 km east of the PLA’s previously vacated position, as seen in the recent imagery.
The first meeting of the Special Representatives of India and China, since the 2020 clashes was recently held in Beijing, which was attended by NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The representatives “underlined the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas to promote overall development of the India-China bilateral relationship. They emphasised the need to ensure peaceful conditions on the ground so that issues on the border do not hold back the normal development of bilateral relations,” a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs said.
