NEW DELHI, The satellite images showing new construction activity in the week following the brutal hand-to-hand struggle underline the disengagement challenge and the possibility that the agreement might still fall apart due to conflicting claims in the arid region.
The pictures shot on Monday by Maxar Technologies, a US-based space technology firm, show what appears to be extensive Chinese structures on an elevated terrace overlooking the Galwan River.
India claims that the area where the structures appeared is on its side of the loosely established, undemarked Actual Control Line, or the de facto boundary between the two Asian giants.
China claims the entire valley of Galwan, at approximately 14,000 ft (4,300 m), is its territory and blames Indian troops for causing the clashes.
The proposed project involves camouflaged tents or enclosed buildings at the base of the mountain, and a short distance away, a possible new camp with walls or barricades under construction. The camp wasn't seen in previous week's photos made available to Reuters.
Nathan Ruser, an Australian Strategic Policy Institute satellite data specialist, said the buildup indicated there would be no sign of de-escalation.
"On June 22nd, Galwan Valley satellite imagery reveals that 'disengagement' is really not the term the (Indian) government should use," he said in a Twitter message.
Defensive barriers on the Indian side can be seen in the latest photos which were not visible in pictures taken in May. Compared with photos a month ago, an Indian forward post seems to be scaled backwards.
The foreign ministry of China has not responded immediately to requests for comment on the apparent incident.
India's Ministry of Defense also failed to respond to a request for comment on the area 's fresh Chinese activity.
Indian military officials have previously stated that they will monitor closely and verify the planned disengagement process on the ground.
"As far as the Chinese are concerned, there is a deficit of confidence," former Chief of the Indian army Deepak Kapoor said.
"If they tell us verbally that they're able to step back, then we'll wait to see it on the ground. The armed forces will stay on the alert until then.
