Question: Tell me what you know about the Siachen glacier. Why is it important for India?
Answer: Sir, The Siachen glacier is 76 Km long and is at 20000 feet in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas. It demarcates central Asia from the Indian subcontinent and separates Pakistan from China in the region. India holds two-thirds of the glacier and commands two of the three passes including the highest motorable pass – Khardungla Pass. The Saltoro Ridge of the Siachen glacier serves as a divide that prevents direct linking of PoK with China, stopping them to develop geographical military linkages in the area. Siachen also serves as a watchtower for India to keep a deep watch on Gilgit and Baltistan regions of Pakistan. If Pakistan gets the location advantage in Siachen, it will become a big threat to India from the west in Ladakh in addition to Chinese threats from Aksai Chin on the east. Due to its control over Saltoro Ridge, India is better placed to strike a bargain while settling bilateral territorial disputes with Pakistan in the future. Siachen also helps India to keep a close watch on China ’s activities as Beijing has vastly improved its infrastructure in this region. China has developed all weather rail and road links in the Shaksgam region, which was ceded to China by Pakistan in 1960s.
In addition, Siachen is the largest single source of fresh water on the Indian subcontinent. The Nubra River originates here, and it eventually meets the Indus river. Indus as we know is the major water source that irrigates the Punjab plains in Pakistan. Gaining control over the Nubra River allows India the choice of barring this water to the Punjab plains in Pakistan.
Note:
- India has facilitated tourism in the area ranging from Leh & Laddakh to Khardungla pass that is around 120 km from Nubra valley. In addition to other benefits, tourism also helps Indians to understand the difficulties faced by our soldiers in the region.
- Besides the twin military threats from Pakistan and China, the climate condition in the Siachen is the biggest challenge for the armed forces. Temperature in Siachen glacier in winters drops to below -60 degrees. There are also constant threats of avalanches, crevasses on the glacier (during patrolling), and high-speed winds. Soldiers stationed in the area are affected by a range of fatal altitude related ailments like frost bites, hypoxia, hypothermia, and white outs. Boredom and separation from family affects the soldiers psyche negatively. Thus, nausea, sleep deprivation and depression are the common problems faced by the soldiers living there. If we wish to serve our Armed Forces, let us make ourselves physically fit and mentally tough to be able to serve in this region also.
- The soldiers have to be at the peak of their physical fitness to be able to fight in such inhospitable conditions. Hence, they work in 4 to 5-hour shifts. They live on tinned food of frozen Daal, peas, and rice. Due to the climate they just can't? eat whatever they want, or they would fall sick. If they fall sick medical help is far away.
- A helipad named “Sonam” is constructed at approximately 21,000 feet above sea level to bring supplies by Dhruv Mk III helicopter. Indian Army pilots usually have a few minutes for dropping off the supplies at the post before the Pak guns open fire.