India diverted her attention towards Ladakh and border with China only belatedly. Even the aftermath of Sino-Indian war of 1962 did not create the right and purposeful impression with our policy planners in New Delhi about the strategic importance of Ladakh. Had it been done at proper time, our army would not have been forced to undertake the most hazardous expedition that won us the Siachin Glacier overlooking the Chinese Turkestan.
Speaking at the one-day workshop organised by the Ministry of Defence on tunnelling in North & North Eastern Region, the Army Chief designate Lt. Gen. Rawat said that Ladakh needed special treatment mainly for two reasons. One was that for at least half of the year the road connectivity to Ladakh remains suspended owing to heavy snowfall and closure of the passes. The second and more important is that Ladakh touching China border is of immense strategic importance to us in view of China-Pakistan nexus. We know that Modi Government has already taken the point but its endorsement from the Army Chief puts things in right perspective. Tunnelling of Karakorum Range at Gagangir and Zoji La in Kashmir and of the Shivalik Hills on Himachal Pradesh side are of vital importance to ensure round the year connectivity through metalled road and in second phase for laying the railway line.
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