Mines and exploration in the thinly populated region could prove to be a game changer for India as industrialization in the area will draw a clear line of actual control as well as minimize the number of transgression in the long term.
Currently, Ladakh is the part of Jammu and Kashmir State which is governed under special law Article 370 bestowed by the Indian constitution to the people of the region. Since the mineral rich areas of the state are governed by this unique law, the Indian government has to acquire approval from the Jammu and Kashmir government for mining and exploration in the areas.
On the other hand, India beefed up its order of battle on the Aksai Chin frontier with China in eastern Ladakh, the only frontier region facing both China and Pakistan. India has moved its defense assets, such as tanks and jets to the Ladakh region. Apart from military build-up, India is also setting up one more advanced landing ground in Parma Valley including airfields Fuk Che, Nyoma and Daulat Beg Oldie near the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh region.
Indian geologists found uranium and thorium in Eastern Ladakh in 2007. Eastern Ladakh had seen face-offs between Indian and Chinese armed forces at regular intervals. Both sides used to resolve transgressions amicably as it is considered that differences in perception about border led to such incidents. Very large areas in south east Ladakh are rich in geothermal borax and Sulphur. India may have found precious minerals near Daulat Beg Oldi, the highest landing ground in the world.
