Willayat Ali
Ladakh has great geostrategic importance since ancient times and the passes of Ladakh region connect some of the politically and economically significant zones of the world like Central Asia, South Asia, China and the Middle East.
Ladakh is one of the most important regions of Jammu and Kashmir situated on the northern most point of India. Historically Ladakh includes Leh, Kargil,Gilgit,Hunza and Skardo and it was the part of strategic Greater Central Asia since ancient times. For thousands of years, the Russian, Chinese, Persian, Tibetan and Indian Empires fought over the passes of this region to dominate each other. Geographically, at present Ladakh is the largest division in Jammu and Kashmir with area of 49,146 sq. kms, whereas Jammu has 26,293 sq. kms and Kashmir valley has 15,948 sq. kms. The area occupied by Pakistan is 72,971sq. kms of Gilgit Baltistan and China occupied area is 37,555 sq. kms of Aksi Chin area and another 3,180 sq. kms has been given by Pakistan to China.
In modern times, Ladakh assumed strategic significance with the rise of British Empire in India during 19th century. Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab established Dogra rule in Jammu and Kashmir by recognising the strategic importance of the region.Gulab Singh a Dogra ally and subordinate of Ranjit Singh further recognised the strategic importance of Ladakh and with the help of his soldiers under the leadership of Zorawar Singh Khluria made a campaign to Ladakh and finally occupied it. After the fall of the Sikh empire in Punjab, the British too continued the policy of Sikhs in respect of these regions. Gulab Singh got the kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir for 75 Lakh rupees from British and consolidated it. But many Britishers criticized and thought it as blunder as they quickly re-examined the great strategic importance of Jammu and Kashmir in general and Ladakh in particular. Moreover with the extension of Russian power into Central Asia, during 19th century and the start of Great Game in Central Asia increased the geostrategic importance of this region for the British Government of India in the context of a European power reaching north-western borders of their empire in India. British increased their power in this region by establishing agency at Gilgit and commissionat Leh.
The geo-political change took place in and around Ladakh after 1947 as large areas of the state were occupied by Pakistan and then by China. In fact it led to the disintegration of Ladakh. With the emergence of Commonwealth of Independent States after disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the start of New Great Game in Central Asia this region is once again regaining its geostrategic importance because of the existence of geographical access with greater Central Asia and disputed region. As we know that the interest of different nations like USA, China, Iran, Turkey, Russia, India and Pakistan into Central Asian is immense in order to get access to the rich natural resources of these states by expanding their trading interests as the region has huge unexploited natural resources reserves.Infact India has geographical proximity in Central Asia only through this region as Tajikistan is just 20 km from greater Ladakh. But the border dispute among China, India and Pakistan in this region hampered the infrastructural development lessening the accessibility to outside region particularly in Indian side. Chinese succeeded to access in this region by constructing the Karakoram Highway in northern area.
The distance between China and Arab world, which used to take months of travel, is now being covered in days. It is generally believedthat the presence of NATO and a war like situation in Afghanistan has increased the importance of Ladakh including Gilgit Baltistan for China and this importance will continue to rise. The Pakistani incursion into Kargil in recent past, the Chinese presence in Gilgit Baltistan and the recent incursion into Indian part of Ladakh is testimony to this fact. But the people of Ladakh does not want to see their land as place of confrontation instead Ladakh his want to see their land geo-strategically important in terms of cooperation, trade hub, peace and prosperity.The land of Ladakh should be the land of connectivity like it was in ancient times and want to enjoy the significance for being located at ancient Silk Route which passes through these regions and played very vital role in the development of culture, religion, philosophy, trade and commerce in the past.
The passes of Ladakh region connect some of the politically and economically significant zones of the world like Central Asia, South Asia, China and the Middle East. The neighbours of Ladakh regions include China in the north, Tajikistan and Afghanistan in the west, Pakistan in the south. On the other hand, the south Asian countries can reach Central Asian markets through this region. Countries like Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are rich in uranium, cotton, oil and gas resources. In future, the oil and gas pipeline from Iran to China can pass through this mountainous corridor. India’s energy needs can also be met by constructing pipeline from Central Asia via this region as the already proposed pipeline project of Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India can pass through region. China and India can use this region for energy connectivity. However, neither China nor India nor Pakistan show such any interest of cooperation in this region may be because of security reasons. But the fact is that the benefit of cooperation is highly greater than the cost of confrontation. In the age of globalization and interdependence, no country can survive alone and every nation is dependent on each other and therefore one should look for means of cooperation and integration despite whatever political difficulties may be involved. Given India’s growing energy needs, it has become imperative for it to tap the huge energy reserves of Central Asia, whether in competition or in cooperation with the other major powers involved in the region. Therefore, positive development in this region will further led to the positive development in relation among India,
China and Pakistan and once again Ladakh could become the gate way to Central Asia. Thus the entire Ladakh region including Gilgit Baltistan needs to be perceived as land of contact with three regions- Tibet in the east, Xinjiang in the north, Pakistan in the west, and Afghanistan and Central Asia in the north-west. Let Ladakh the roof of the world be the roof for the meeting of different nations.
(The author is lecturer DIET Kargil)
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