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

The opening of the world’s longest twin-lane tunnel sparked a war of words between Beijing and New Delhi, as each claims Arunachal Pradesh for its own

The tunnel enables all-weather troop deployments and other movements as part of India’s efforts to address border vulnerabilities, analysts say

4-MIN READ4-MIN

The Sela Tunnel which connects Tezpur and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh was constructed at an altitude of 13,000 feet (39,600 metres). Photo: X/ @gemsofbabus_

Published: 7:00pm, 26 Mar 2024Updated: 7:28pm, 26 Mar 2024

The opening of a strategically significant tunnel in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh has sparked a war of words between Beijing and New Delhi, spotlighting India’s renewed focus on border infrastructure amid its deteriorating relationship with China.

Officially opened on March 9 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Sela tunnel is the world’s longest twin-lane tunnel, providing all-weather connectivity to Tawang and other forward areas bordering China throughout the year, enhancing the strategic and operational capabilities of the Indian army.

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”.

A truck crossing the Sela Pass in the Tawang district of India’s Arunachal Pradesh state in April 2023. Photo: AFP

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.

India and China have been locked in a military stand-off at their shared border for nearly four years after confrontations in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan valley in 2020 resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese troops. Last year, China renamed 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh, a move strongly opposed by India.