Senge H Sering, the director of Institute of Gilgit Baltistan Studies told ANI, "India is improving its infrastructure and making its access to Karakoram Pass much easier."

"That means India will be able to access G219 (China National Highway 219) from Galwan Valley, because it is very close to the watershed of the Galwan River.

"Then you will be able to cut Tibet from Xinjiang, in case India tries to move forward towards East and North.

"And you will also be able to cut the Eastern route, the second route of CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor)," Senge H Sering said.

India-China faceoff in Ladakh

More than four decades after the last fatality occurred during a conflict at the India-China border, at least 20 Indian personnel were killed in the conflict with the Chinese military at the Galwan Valley, which is close to Aksai Chin, an area that is controlled by China but claimed by both the countries.

In a strong reaction to the violent standoff, Modi had earlier said his nation wants peace but can give a befitting reply, if instigated, reminding people of the airstrike conducted by the Indian Army following the Pulwama terror attack in 2019.