Fresh satellite images show structures built at the site of a deadly conflict between India and China.
Fresh satellite images suggest China is making a move at the Himalayan site where a border clash
left 20 Indian troops dead earlier this month.
The images, dated June 22, show bunkers, tents and storage units for military hardware where there had previously been none.
The incident occurred during a "de-escalation process" in the Galwan Valley in the disputed Aksai Chin-Ladakh area, where a large troop build-up has reportedly been
taking place for weeks on both sides of the border.
Fresh satellite images show structures built at the site of a deadly conflict between India and China. (Maxar)
Thousands of soldiers on both sides have been facing off for more than a month, however tensions have been mounting between the two Asian giants over the land since 1975.
What the fresh images show
Ajai Shukla, a leading defence analyst from India says the images show a large Chinese camp in the Galwan Valley, 1.5km into the Indian side of the border.
The satellite images were captured by
Maxar, a space technology company on June 22.
Local media in India claim the gradual build up has been occurring since June 15.
Satellite images captured in May show no tents, bunkers or equipment in the region, prior to the killing on the soldiers.
Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously downplayed the incident in the Galwan Valley, denying there had been Chinese incursion into the Indian side of the border.
Satellite images showed the same area clear before the deadly clash. (Maxar)
But
India's Foreign Minister said earlier that China "was seeking to erect a structure in Galwan Valley on our side of the LAC (Line of Actual Control)".
On the other side, China says Indian forces have been carrying out "provocative attacks" on its troops for months.
"China has lodged strong protest and representation with the India side, and we once again we solemnly ask the India side to follow our consensus and strictly regulate its front line troops and do not cross the line and do not stir up troubles or take unilateral moves that may complicate matters," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said last week.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. (AP/AAP)
EXPLAINED:
What's behind China and India's long-running Himalayas dispute?
"We both agreed to resolve this issue through dialogue and consolation and make efforts for easing the situation and upholding peace and tranquility in the border area."
Loss of life would be the first time there have been any casualties along the disputed border for over four decades, said Happymon Jacob, an associate professor and political analyst at Delhi's Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University.
"We have not had casualties on the LAC for at least 45 years," he said.
"This is perhaps a gamechanger. This is perhaps the beginning of the end of the rapport that India has enjoyed with China for 45 years."
https://www.9news.com.au/world/galw...conflict/0a23fe44-d4a5-4a1c-b9ae-e852a3766d89
