Bridge In Ladakh

Once implemented, India-China border pact could see Indian Army return to patrolling along India's perception of the LAC in Depsang Plains and Demchok

India on Friday said that a second bridge being constructed by China on Pangong lake is in an area that has been under illegal occupation of that country since 1960. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has never accepted such illegal occupation of India's territory. "We have seen reports of a bridge being constructed by China on Pangong Lake alongside its earlier bridge," he said. "Both these bridges are in areas that have continued to be under the illegal occupation of China since the 1960s," Bagchi said. He was replying to media queries on the matter. "We have never accepted such illegal occupation of our territory, nor have we accepted the unjustified Chinese claim or such construction activities," the spokesperson said. "We have made it clear on several occasions that the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India and we expect other countries to respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added.

The 35-meter bridge on Khalsar-Sasoma road, an important axis connecting Nubra Valley to Siachen Glacier base, will increase the movement of both tourist and military traffic.