Page 12 - The Indian EYE 070524

OPINION JULY 05, 2024 | The Indian Eye 12

the Chinese nation-state has result- and Guiding Principles for the set-
ed in China issuing the “Plan for the tlement of the India-China Bound-
Construction of Well-off Villages in ary Question”. According to Arti-
Border Areas of the Tibet Autono- cle VII of the 2005 agreement “In
mous Region (2017-2020)”. reaching a boundary settlement, the
Under the plan, China complet-
ed the construction of over 604 bor- two sides shall safeguard due inter-
ests of their settled populations in
der villages, and 130 border roads the border areas”.
were renovated.
By populating and re-populat-
ing these border areas, China’s ac-
The Xiaokang model aims to tion can be interpreted as a move
populate the 21 Himalayan to claim the disputed territories by
border counties, including Ny- arguing that these areas are inhab-
ited by a “settled population”. Con-
ingchi, Shannan, Shigatse, and sequently, the illegal transgression

Ngari prefectures. Overall, the into Indian territories through the
salami slicing technique by con-
plan aims to construct new structing Xiaokang villages and
Xiaokang border houses, infra- eventually expanding them into set-
tled populations would allow China
structure, and public service to tactically influence Article VII of
facilities in these counties to the 2005 agreement. Article VII of
enrich the border areas and Mainling County 2024 the 2005 agreement also implies the
importance of maintaining peace
create a strong border force in and tranquility in the border areas

the border areas of Tibet. to prevent the escalation of conflicts
and preserve the interests of the
border people.
Seemingly, it is China’s relent-
However, by constructing bor-
less effort to extend its military der villages close to the LAC, China
power across its borders with India. has created tensions along the LAC.
It is also a means of combining the All indicate a disregard for main-
ideological framework of Xiaokang, taining peace and stability in the
which in turn encourages these bor- border areas, thus violating Article
der residents to view their role as an VII of the 2005 agreement. In addi-
active border defense, blending tra- tion, Article IV of the 2005 agree-
ditional values with modern nation- ment also noted that “The two sides
alistic sentiments. will give due consideration to each
The development changes in
border areas of Tibet are evident other’s strategic and reasonable in-
terests, and the principle of mutual
in Map 1. Located just 12 km from and equal security”. However, the
the eastern part of LAC, Mainling construction of the Xiaokang border
County, a prefecture-level city in villages close to the LAC, Tawang,
Nyingchi in eastern Tibet, has un- and Siliguri Corridor has acted in a
dergone significant improvements. way that has violated India’s strate-
In 2009, Mainling County was rel- gic interests.
atively underdeveloped compared
to its current state in 2024. These
changes have become more pro- Mainling County 2009. Source: Google Earth Satellite Image (MAP 1) Conclusion
nounced following Xi Jinping’s im- By constructing border villages
plementation of the Xiaokang poli- border force through its military-ci- patrolling and troop deployment and military structures in close prox-
cy in Tibet in 2017. vilian fusion strategy, which has also reflects China’s preparedness imity to the LAC, Tawang, and Sili-
The proliferation of Xiaokang been increasingly promoted under to consolidate its hold over disputed guri Corridor, and disputed areas,
villages in these border counties of Xi Jinping’s term. Given China’s territory. For instance, 100Xiaokang China has acted in a way that poses
Tibet is seen as China’s attempt to emphasis on military-civilian fusion, village homes were built by China a threat to India’s security. China
increase its presence on the borders it is natural to expect that these on the banks of the River Tsari Chu aims to unilaterally consolidate its
indirectly. It is evident from the in- Xiaokang border villages will serve in the upper Subansari District of position along the LAC. These de-
crease in Han population in Tibet as a forward border post for troop Arunachal Pradesh. Additionally, velopments close to the LAC would
from 8.2 percent in 2010 to 12.2 per- deployment. The broad networks of the establishment of the Xiaokang further aggravate the already tense
cent in 2020 and the decrease in Ti- roads and active civilian force near border village near Tawang and in situation between India and China.
betan population from 90.5percent the border would act as a border the Chumbi Valley region near the Sibani Choudhury is a Research
in 2010 to 86 percent in 2020. All defense force and an active deploy- Siliguri Corridor has raised concern Associate at Indian Council of World
supplements Xi Jinping’s Xiaokang ment of resources in cases of border for India’s security. Affairs, New Delhi
plan in Tibet. skirmishes. As a result, these villag- The establishment of Xiaokang
It is pertinent to note that the es would act as extended troop can- villages close to the LAC is also This article first appeared in the View-
Xiaokang border plan aims to pop- tonments near the LAC. against the spirit of the 2005 agree- point section of the website (www.icwa.
ulate the border areas with people Developing these Xiaokang vil- ment between India and China con- in) of Indian Council of World Affairs,
loyal to the CCP to create a civilian lages as a forward post for border cerning the “Political Parameters New Delhi, on June 21, 2024

www.TheIndianEYE.com