'China extending Tibet rail link to Sikkim'

[Parthy]

'China extending Tibet rail link to Sikkim'​

In what could be a matter of concern for India, reports on Monday claimed that China is planning to extend its Tibet railway network, stretching it to the strategically important Chumbi valley area, next to Sikkim and the Siliguri corridor.

As per a report published in a leading daily, the Chinese Railways Ministry had last month unveiled a map confirming the development and long-term railway network plan.

The release of map by the Chinese Railways Ministry has now ended all speculation in this regard and officially confirmed that China will be extending its railway network from Lhasa to Zangmu on the Nepal border, which is going to eventually extend into Nepal and even Kathmandu.

As per the plan, another line will branch out midway from this link to Zangmu, at a place called Shigatse. This line will move east and go right up to Yadong, on the mouth of the Chumbi Valley. This town is connected to Sikkim through the Nathu La pass and is strategically located on the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan.

The region adjoining Yadong is still disputed between China and Bhutan and some portion of it also witnessed military conflict in 1962 as part of New Delhi's effort to defend Nathu La.

The Chinese side has not yet started the construction work but it has launched feasibility studies concerning the project. This project is slated for completion by 2017, bringing the Tibet railway just 500 km short of the Siliguri corridor. This may raise demands from Bangladesh to provide connectivity to the Chinese market via India.

What is of major concern to India is that New Delhi is finding it difficult to match pace with China's ability to increase its railway network and registering its heavy presence in the region, which would ultimately benefit its industries and markets.

As per reports, China last year built over 10,000 km of high speed railway, and in the past five years has added 70,000 km railway lines. India, on the other hand, has struggled to connect Bhutan to India by rail.


http://www.zeenews.com/news687115.html

 

[anoop_mig25]

Plans on track, China rail link to stretch to near Sikkim border

first it was rumors but now its confirm

Plans on track, China rail link to stretch to near Sikkim border

PranabDhalSamanta Posted: Mon Feb 14 2011 New Delhi:

China is set to extend its Tibet railway network into the strategically important Chumbi valley area, next to Sikkim and the Siliguri corridor. This was confirmed by a Chinese Railways Ministry map, put out last month, showing China's "long term railway network plan".
Until now, these plans were being loosely speculated upon, but they now have an official stamp on it. The latest map shows the railway line extending from Lhasa to Zangmu on the Nepal border, which is going to eventually extend into Nepal and even Kathmandu.

According to the plan, another line will branch out midway from this link to Zangmu, at a place called Shigatse. This line will move east and go right up to Yadong, on the mouth of the Chumbi Valley. This town is connected to Sikkim through the Nathu La pass and is strategically located on the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan.

There are areas near Yadong which are still disputed between China and Bhutan. The area witnessed military conflict in 1962 as part of the Indian effort to defend Nathu La.

While construction on the line has not yet started, sources said, feasibility studies are already being conducted. This project is slated for completion by 2017, bringing the Tibet railway just 500 km short of the Siliguri corridor.

forget about militrary first civilian consequences would be demands from Bangladesh to provide connectivity to the Chinese market via India.

This project must be seen along with the hectic progress, further east, on a railway line connecting Kunming in China to Singapore. With the Thailand government throwing its weight behind the idea, work on this project is moving at a quick pace. Given that there already exists a trade route from the Indian border to Kunming, the understanding is that pressure will increase on India to link up with the Chinese railway network.

What is of more concern to India is that the improved technological ability in this sphere means Beijing will end up meeting its deadlines. In the last year, China added over 10,000 km of high speed railway, and in the past five years has built 70,000 km railway lines. India, on the other hand, has struggled to connect Bhutan to India by rail. why our strategic thin-tanks act like ostrich

 

[SHASH2K2]

why our strategic thin-tanks act like ostrich

Because they are ostrich. Allll izzzzzzzzzzzzzz wellllllllllllllll.
keep on chanting this mantra and it will give you courage to face humiliation .

 

[Tshering22]

Oh no they won't. In response, we will have Nirbhays (next year onwards), Pinakas and Sikkim Scouts regiment with light howitzers pointed at this railway track.

This may raise demands from Bangladesh to provide connectivity to the Chinese market via India.

Certainly not. As if we are going to agree to such demands. Bangladesh can sit on China's lap for all we care but it cannot have this access come what may. Even if we have to become the Israel of South Asia.

 

[SHASH2K2]

Mods please merge it with this thread.
http://defenceforumindia.com/showthread.php?t=19311&highlight=China+extending+Tibet+rail+link+Sikkim

 

[pmaitra]

Thread already exists: http://defenceforumindia.com/showthread.php?t=19311