At the Edge of the Nation: Geopolitics, Infrastructure and Security Along India’s Eastern Frontier

By – Shagolshem Sanathoi Meitei
Between February 26 and March 5, 2026, our delegation from the Department of National Security Studies, Manipur University went on a comprehensive study tour to Arunachal Pradesh. The study tour comprised 23 students, one faculty member, one research scholar, and one non-teaching staff member from the department. We set out to observe the geopolitical dynamics along the Indo-China frontier (formerly the border with Tibet) and to understand the real-world implications for India’s national security. As postgraduate students of security studies, this study tour was an eye-opening experience where theoretical frameworks of international relations and border management met harsh ground reality. The Sino-Indian border dispute is no longer just about overlapping territorial claims; it has evolved into a highly complex race for infrastructure, resource utilization, and demographic positioning.
The journey started in Tezu (Lohit district). Situated at the foothills of the Mishmi Hills, Tezu is a vital logistical hub with an operational airport that serves as a crucial staging ground before moving into the high mountains. Moving upward from Tezu towards Walong, and further deep into the bordering areas of the Anjaw district, the scale of India’s infrastructure push becomes starkly visible. Throughout this treacherous route, massive road-widening projects and mountain-cutting operations are actively underway. Because the terrain is so steep, these roads are constructed by cutting directly into the sides of the hills and mountains. We witnessed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) engaged in relentless mountain-cutting to convert single-lane, perilous tracks into wider, all-weather roads.
While the mighty Lohit River flows beside these roads, we learned an important logistical lesson: the river itself cannot be used for transportation or logistics. It is situated deep within mountain gorges with an incredibly fast and violent flow. Huge rocks are scattered throughout the middle and along the banks, creating a chaotic and non-navigable environment. However, the river’s value lies in its raw construction materials. In specific accessible areas along the riverbank, we observed stone crushers set up to process the massive boulders. These local resourcessand and crushed stoneare essential for ongoing road and bridge construction. To cross deep ravines, we observed the setup of Modular Steel and RCC bridges, engineered to withstand heavy military loads and artillery movement.
The journey to Walong also carries profound historical significance. It was the site of the Battle of Walong (1962 Sino-Indian War), where Indian soldiers put up a fierce, heroic resistance against overwhelming Chinese forces. Standing in Walong, we were reminded of the historical vulnerabilities of this sector and the sacrifices made to defend Indian sovereignty. This context makes current infrastructure development not just a policy effort, but a strategic necessity.
As we advanced from Walong onward to Kibithu, the excitement among all the students was palpable. From Kibithu, we clearly saw the towering mountains marking the McMahon Line, the actual boundary between India and China. It was a profound and surreal experience to witness this historic and strategic boundary in person.
Moving just beyond Kibithu, we reached Kaho – the First Village of India. While the landscape surrounding it is pristine and breathtakingly beautiful, we immediately observed that Kaho is very sparsely populated. This low demographic density serves as a stark baseline for our study. It highlights the vulnerabilities India faces when compared to the heavily populated border management strategies of China. Recognizing this critical gap, we discussed the strategic importance of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) (launched on April 10, 2023, in Kibithu).
A vital component of this developmental push is telecommunications. During our transit from Walong towards the LAC, Airtel was the most preferable network, as we could access internet in many areas. Airtel 5G was available in some locations, but it was inconsistent and got lost in deeper mountainous regions. Airtel 4G remained relatively stable, though it also weakened in remote areas. In contrast, Reliance Jio connectivity was lost from Tezu to Walong and completely unavailable in forward areas, while BSNL had very low signal and slow connectivity. This highlights a critical communication gap in sensitive border regions.
The most profound lessons of our entire study tour happened as we finally reached the Dichu Post – the easternmost outpost of the Indian Army. Standing there, we witnessed an active Chinese military post, a working cement factory, and newly established villages. We also observed the Wacha BPM, which serves as a Border Personnel Meeting point for formal interactions between the Indian Army and the PLA. On the Chinese side, we observed well-developed, wide, all-weather roads extending deep into their territory, capable of supporting heavy military movement and rapid logistics. These roads provide them with better mobility and faster deployment capability. The presence of a cement factory indicates continuous construction and long-term infrastructure consolidation. These villages, with uniform architecture, reflect a state-driven civil-military fusion strategy, where civilian settlements can act as military support bases during conflict.
The rapid militarization and dual-use settlement strategy of China represents a permanent shift in the regional security environment. These observations clearly show why India’s efforts in road expansion, bridge construction, and forward area fortification are essential for maintaining the balance of power along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Acknowledgments
This study tour would not have been possible without the immense support, warm welcome, and incredible hospitality of the Indian Army. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Spear Corps and the Dao Division for facilitating our study. We specifically thank the 9 Madras Regiment, the 16 Bihar Regiment (revered across the nation as the “Galwan Ke Balwan”), the 82 Mountain Brigade under the command of Brigadier Jaspreet Singh, the 37 Field Regiment (Coorg), the 6 Kumaon Regiment, the 12 Assam Regiment, and the Rajput Rifles for their help and hospitality. Beyond their assistance, witnessing these troops firsthand gave us a profound respect for their unwavering bravery. Standing guard in such harsh, isolated, and unforgiving environments, their courage, vigilance, and dedication to safeguarding India’s eastern borders are truly inspiring to the next generation.
Finally, we owe a profound debt of gratitude to our Visiting Scholar at the Department of National Security Studies, Lt. General (Dr.) Konsam Himalay Singh (Retd.). His invaluable guidance and help made it possible for us to witness this critical area and immensely enhanced our practical knowledge of geopolitics and military strategy. We also extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Salam Binodkumar Singh, Faculty of the Department of National Security Studies, who expertly led us as the Tour In-charge, ensuring our academic objectives were met at every stage of the journey.
(The author is MA 4th Semester, Department of National Security Studies, Manipur University)