Thread by @VishnuNDTV

1. Not quite. This 100 home village, construction of which qualitatively changes the status quo in the region, WAS constructed in `a short time.' On the left, an image from Aug 2019: No village. On the right, an image from Nov 2020: Village complete. 📸: @planet

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1457975131469348865

2. By constructing a village on Indian territory that it claims (India considers this an illegal occupation), China categorically violates Article VII of the 2005 bilateral agreement between India and China. How? Read on.

3. The agreement says, ''In reaching a boundary settlement, the two sides shall safeguard due interests of their SETTLED populations in the border areas.'' (more)

4. By building a village and populating it, China can now unilaterally claim that the disputed territory is no longer contested - since it has a SETTLED population in this village.

5. In simple terms - `Disputed' land becomes undisputed if you build a village and move people into it. And then say, `look, these are our people. They are now settled in this village. Therefore, as per the agreement, its our land.' Salami slice.

5. Don't believe me? This is what Lt. Gen DS Hooda (retd.), the former Northern Army Commander - who led the surgical strike against Pakistan told us in an interview when we broke this story several months back ...

6. Lt. Gen DS Hooda (retd.) - ''The move that they have made by constructing a village - if you go back to the 2005 agreement between India and China which lays down the principals of the border agreement ...(more)

7. Lt. Gen DS Hooda (retd.) - '' ... for a boundary settlement that could come later - it says that the sentiment of the local settled population will be taken into consideration. (more)

8. Lt. Gen DS Hooda (retd.) - ''So while this is a disputed area, by settling local villagers there, tomorrow they are going to turn around and say this area belongs to us. We have a settled population.''

9. This detail is presently being left out by some to soft pedal the sudden emergence of this village where China has clearly ramped up its construction activity.