Part of: Prelims and GS-II -International relations
Context China is constructing a bridge in eastern Ladakh connecting the north and south banks of Pangong Tso (lake), which will significantly bring down the time for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to move troops and equipment between the two sectors.
The bridge is in China’s territory and the Indian Army would have to factor this in its operational plans.
About the lake
Pangong Tso or Pangong Lake is an endorheic lake spanning eastern Ladakh and West Tibet.
It is divided into five sublakes, called Pangong Tso, Tso Nyak, Rum Tso (twin lakes) and Nyak Tso.
Approximately 50% of the length of the overall lake lies within Tibet China, 40% in Ladakh India and the rest is disputed and is a de-facto buffer zone between India and China.
During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water.
It has a land-locked basin separated from the Indus River basin by a small elevated ridge, but is believed to have been part of the latter in prehistoric times.
