China Deploys Tibetan Recruits in India Border Patrol Units

According to top Indian government sources, Tibetan recruits have started participating in border patrols along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh as part of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). This move is attributed to the Tibetans’ ability to endure the challenging Himalayan mountain altitudes and extreme weather conditions.

While the majority of the troops still consist of mainland Chinese soldiers, China has recognized the challenges of deploying troops in super high-altitude areas like eastern Ladakh. As a result, they believe that Tibetans are better suited to endure such conditions. To strengthen its military presence along the LAC with India, China has made it mandatory for every Tibetan family to send one member to join the PLA.

The Chinese army is actively recruiting Tibetan youths within its territory and providing them with training for operations along the India-China border. These recruits undergo tests of loyalty to China, including learning the mainland Chinese language and accepting the supremacy of the Chinese Communist Party.

The decision to include Tibetans in the Chinese army gained momentum in early 2021 after observing the performance of Tibetans-in-exile while serving in the Special Frontier Forces of the Indian Army. Additionally, this initiative aims to increase acceptance of Chinese rule among the local population in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

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