Chinese bridge along Pangong Lake built illegally: Govt tells Parliament

The Centre said it expects other countries to respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The Government has taken note of a bridge being constructed by China on Pangong lake. This bridge is being constructed in areas that have continued to be under the illegal occupation of China since 1962," the government told Parliament in a written response.

"Government of India has never accepted this illegal occupation. Government has made it clear on several occasions that the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India and we expect other countries to respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity," it added.

The bridge is 8 metres wide and lies just south of a Chinese army field base on the North Bank of Pangong.

This is the same place where Chinese field hospitals and troop accommodations were seen during the standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in 2020.

India and China continue to have a troubled relationship since 2020, particularly after the violent face-off in the Galwan river area in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the line of duty.

Following the clash, more than 50,000 troops from both sides have been deployed in eastern Ladakh.

India has been engaged in talks with China over the disengagement process in the area.

"Our approach in these talks has been and will continue to be guided by three key principles, that, (i) both sides should strictly respect and observe the LAC; (ii) neither side should attempt to alter the status quo unilaterally; and (iii) all agreements between the two sides must be fully abided by in their entirety," the government said Friday.

The last round of talks between the senior commanders of India and China was held on Jan 12.

Both sides agreed to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest, restoring peace along the Line of Actual Control.