‘Statement to China’: India’s strategic Sela tunnel raises tensions as New Delhi boosts border control

The Chinese government rejected Modi’s inauguration of the tunnel, calling the region an “inherent part of China’s territory”, while Indian authorities responded by slamming Beijing’s remarks as “absurd”, insisting Arunachal Pradesh was “an integral and inalienable part of India”.

The lack of connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh has been a disadvantage for India when compared with China’s better infrastructure along the border. The previous single-lane route to the Sela Pass would often have close after heavy snowfall, preventing heavy vehicles and container trucks from reaching Tawang.

Harsh V. Pant, vice-president for studies and foreign policy at the Observer Research Foundation, a Delhi-based think tank, said the Sela tunnel underscored India’s resolve to enhance its border infrastructure.

“India was lackadaisical about border infrastructure, but after 2020 [Galwan clashes], there was a serious push to accelerate it. The Sela tunnel is a statement to China that India is prepared for the long haul,” Pant said.

Situated at an elevation of 13,000 feet (3,962 metres) and costing an estimated 8.25 billion rupees (US$99 million), the tunnel project spans about 12km, with more than 8km of approach road.

Pant said it was standard Chinese procedure to object to any construction work in Arunachal Pradesh.

“China’s objection to development in Arunachal Pradesh is not new. They consider it South Tibet and have consistently opposed Indian presence in the region, despite lacking any de facto control. They raise objections whenever there is any activity in the region,” he said.

India is revamping its border infrastructure, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government increasing the Border Roads Organisation’s budget fourfold since 2014.