SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday opened a key strategic Z-Morh tunnel in disputed Jammu and Kashmir, which is likely to boost tourism and defense access in the region.

The 6.5-kilometer (4.03-mile) long bi-directional tunnel worth $20.7 billion, will provide all-weather connectivity to the tourist resort of Sonamarg, known as golden meadow, in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district but will also connect Kashmir and Ladakh region throughout the year providing strategic military access.

The strategic tunnel is seen as an important infrastructure project which is expected to boost defense movement to Ladakh region, which borders China.

This was Modi’s first visit to the region after local elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir last year which elected National Conference party’s Omar Abdullah as the regional chief minister with limited powers.

In August 2019, the Modi government downgraded and divided the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region in two federally administered Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

India and China were locked in a border dispute in Ladakh since May 2020 which was resolved last year.

Abdullah, the chief minister, who attended the inauguration, pitched for early restoration of statehood to the region.

Modi had already “fulfilled” two promises, and now remains the third, he said, referring to restoring Jammu and Kashmir a full-fledged state from the status of Union Territory.

In his response, the Indian prime minister said he would do “everything possible for the people of Jammu and Kashmir region.”

“Right things will come at right time,” he said, without directly specifying Abdullah’s demand.

- Border situation with China ‘stable,’ says Indian military chief

Indian Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, in a separate statement from New Delhi, said the troop deployment among China border is “directly dependent on trust factor.”

“At least in the winter strategy, we are not looking forward to any reduction of troops. When it comes to the summer strategy, we'll take a review based on that time, ” Dwivedi said during his annual news conference in the Indian capital.

He added the situation along the disputed border with China was “sensitive but stable.”

Indian forces deployment along the disputed border “is balanced and robust. We are well poised to deal with any situation,” he added.

* Ahmad Adil contributed to the region from New Delhi.