NEW DELHI: In a thrilling move to power up its defense along the China border, India has just made its Nyoma airbase in eastern Ladakh fully operational. This new base is situated roughly 35 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China. On the eastern front, the Indian Army is conducting a large and intense exercise called 'Poorvi Prachand Prahar' in Arunachal Pradesh, showing how ready India is to face challenges over the sprawling 3,488-km border with China. The move comes even as talks between India and China try to cool tensions. Still, as a senior officer told TOI, “There is ongoing reset in bilateral diplomatic ties. Military CBMs are also being progressively strengthened but the trust deficit on the ground remains high.” Despite talks, there is no sign of soldiers backing off on the ground. This winter will be the sixth in a row with troops stationed forward, ever since multiple Chinese incursions in eastern Ladakh in 2020. What makes Nyoma so special? The airbase got a massive Rs 230 crore makeover. It now sports an extended 2.7 km runway, hangars, a new Air Traffic Control complex, crash bays, and good accommodation. To celebrate the launch, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh flew a C-130J 'Super Hercules' from Delhi’s Hindon base to this record-high Mudh airfield, sitting at 13,710 feet – that’s among the highest airstrips in the world! Nyoma is now ready to handle big transport planes and fighter jets, bringing a huge boost in moving troops, weapons, and essential supplies to key areas like Pangong Tso, Demchok, and Depsang in eastern Ladakh. Fighter plane operations will start here by early 2026, although the high altitude will remain a challenge. Meanwhile, China has also beefed up its airbases on their side with advanced fighters like the J-20 stealth jets, bombers, and drones at places like Hotan and Kashgar. On the far eastern side, thousands of Indian soldiers from the 3 Spear Corps, along with the Air Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and others, are rocking the 'Poorvi Prachand Prahar' exercise in Arunachal Pradesh’s tough mountain terrain. This mega drill tests rapid troop movements, airlifts, mountain warfare, and precise striking power to ensure that India’s forces are ready to hit the ground running. India now boasts multiple operational airbases in Ladakh including Leh, Kargil, Thoise, and Daulat Beg Oldie ALGs (Advanced Landing Grounds). Similarly, in Arunachal Pradesh, ALGs like Pasighat, Mechuka, Walong, Tuting, Along, and Ziro have been upgraded to strengthen defense setups. Even civil airstrips in the middle Himalayan sector (Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh) are now being used more for military tasks. All these efforts paint a clear picture: India is ready to take on any challenge along its vast and rugged border, keeping a keen eye on China from Ladakh to Arunachal!