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India builds tunnels connecting Kashmir with the strategically important region of Ladakh

US has non-Nato allies as well. Saudi, UAE etc are such non-NATO allies. In Syria and Yemen, nations such as Saudi, UAE were on side of US.
These "allies" are not security partners (contributing to American security militarily). They are "needed" to keep fuel markets stabilized.
 
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In the 65 war, Shastri was the Indian PM.

I know. So? Still Nehru's fault for being alive at the same time.
Nehru was not alive in '65. So I can see your knowledge is NILL on this matter and I dont need to comment further.
He was alive in the hearts of the brave endian soldiers. Thus, he begged them to be merciful and not break pakistan into 4 billion pieces.
 
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Dont they fight on the same side in Syria, Yemen etc

Saudi estrangement with the US is on record. The US is withdrawing AD assets from KSA when it is being subjected to Houthi drone and missile attacks. As for Syria, there is no GCC military presence in that conflict. Only money is thrown at factions.
 
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Saudi estrangement with the US is on record. The US is withdrawing AD assets from KSA when it is being subjected to Houthi drone and missile attacks. As for Syria, there is no GCC military presence in that conflict. Only money is thrown at factions.
Saudi estrangement is partial and recent.
As for Syria, whether boots on the ground or money, the fact is they were on same side.
 
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Saudi estrangement is partial and recent.
As for Syria, whether boots on the ground or money, the fact is they were on same side.
US is not supporting any faction as it once was after the FSA/Al Nusra front's links to AQ came into the limelight in Syria. It was in fact arming and financing AQ.
Saudi estrangement is partial and recent.
As for Syria, whether boots on the ground or money, the fact is they were on same side.
The prime utility of GCC sheikhs for the Americans is to keep the energy market and the physical trade of energy under observation.
 
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View attachment 781246

High in a rocky Himalayan mountain range in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir, hundreds of people are working on an ambitious project to drill tunnels and construct bridges to connect the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh, a cold-desert region isolated half the year because of massive snowfall.

Key points:
  • Ladakh shares borders with China and Pakistan
  • The project's last tunnel will be about 14 kilometres long and bypass the challenging Zojila pass
  • Indian officials say the tunnel will be India's longest and highest, at 3,485 metres
Strategically important Ladakh shares de facto borders with Pakistan and China.

Officials say a 6.5-kilometre tunnel, the first of four, is already complete and will make the resort town of Sonamarg accessible during the winter months for the first time.

Sonamarg marks the end of conifer-clad mountains before Ladakh begins across the rocky Zojila mountain pass.

The $US932 million ($1.2 billion) project's last tunnel, about 14 kilometres long, will bypass the challenging Zojila pass and connect Sonamarg with Ladakh.

Officials say it will be India's longest and highest tunnel at 3,485 metres.

Construction workers dressed in yellow work underground

Ladakh is a strategically important region for India because it shares borders with China and Pakistan.

"It's not like any other construction work. It's great learning," said one of the workers, Tariq Ahmed Lone, as he helped at a drilling machine.

Indian and Chinese soldiers have been engaged in a sometimes violent standoff in the Karakoram mountains in Ladakh for over 16 months, along a de facto border called the Line of Actual Control.

Both countries have stationed tens of thousands of soldiers there, backed by artillery, tanks and fighter jets.

Construction workers inspect a tunnel under construction

The area has been the scene of confrontations between Chinese and Indian forces.

Indian military planners view the tunnel project as extremely important for Ladakh.

Experts say it will provide logistical flexibility to the military, and give it operational and strategic mobility.

Politicians also see an opportunity in the project.

Workers prepare a machine for rock bolting

The Zojila section of the tunnel is expected to be finished by the middle of the decade,

The Zojila part of the tunnel is to be functional in 2026, but India's road transport and highways minister, Nitin Gadkari, said on a visit to the project site on Tuesday that he hoped the work would be finished before a 2024 general election.

"It's a challenge I know, but I'm confident they can do it on time," Mr Gadkari said.

"Obviously, we would want it to be finished before the elections."


Play Video. Duration: 1 minute 3 seconds


Will these tunnels will now be used against Pakistan or China?
 
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