VIDEO: Pangong Lake of ‘3 Idiots’ fame now a part of China?

Amid the ongoing border standoff between Chinese and Indian soldiers in Ladakh, it is being speculated that the Pangong Tso area under Indian control, and of Bollywood flick ‘3 Idiots’ fame, has been taken over by China.

As per the details, a video clip of Chinese tourists enjoying a boat ride purportedly at the Pangong Tso Lake, which among many others was also shared by Indian National Congress (INC) leader Salman Nizami, has gone viral.

Pangong Tso is an endorheic lake in the Himalayas. Situated at an elevation of 4,225 metres, it is 134 kilometres long and extends from Ladakh in India to the Tibetan Autonomous Region in China. Line of Actual Control (LAC) between China and India also passes through the Pangong Lake, effectively dividing it into two parts.

India controls the 45 km-long western portions of the 135 km-long lake while the rest is under Chinese control. The picture-perfect lake is also the place where 3 Idiots’ ending with Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor and co was shot.

“Chinese tourists in Ladakh’s Pangong Lake. Can someone ask ’56 inch’ Chowkidar [offensive comment apparently against Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi] if Indians now need a visa to visit Pangong Lake?” Nizami tweeted.

Chinese tourists in Ladakh's Pangong Lake. Can someone ask '56 inch' Chowkidar if Indians now need a visa to visit Pangong Lake? pic.twitter.com/6LKiMu12PP

— Salman Nizami (@SalmanNizami_) September 8, 2020

National convener of INC’s social media department, Saral Patel, also shared the video.

Chinese tourists at Panging Tso. 😡 pic.twitter.com/ettfLQMyWQ

— Saral Patel (@SaralPatel) September 8, 2020

It was retweeted by INC spokesperson Shama Mohamed with the comment, “Chinese tourists are apparently vacationing at Pangong Tso & PM [Narendra] Modi is still in agreement with China’s lie that there have been no incursions or annexation of Indian territory.”

As an Indian, watching this makes my blood boil. Chinese tourists are apparently vacationing at Pangong Tso & PM Modi is still in agreement with China's lie that there have been no incursions or annexation of Indian territory. https://t.co/JDU4YKr4vN

— Dr. Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) September 8, 2020

While there have been no official statements over the status of the lake from Beijing or New Delhi, it is likely that the videos being circulated have been shot on the Chinese side of the lake, which is reportedly open for tourists.

Earlier, an advertisement video shared by some Twitter users had claimed that China will facilitate the return of international tourists to Pangong Tso.

The 45-second footage on Twitter showed the scenic landscape of the Pangong Tso.

The ad video, which has received several retweets, was uploaded by users who used both Mandarin and Chinese as the medium of communication. Although they appeared to be handles managed by Chinese nationals, it could not be confirmed as none of the accounts were verified by Twitter.

“You only need to take a Chinese visa to enjoy cold air, flocks of birds and blue water. We have also placed a monument on a place where movie 3 idiots was made. Come, visit and enjoy China,” one of the users tweeted.

Even though the video appears to have been produced in China, it could not be ascertained whether the clip is new or old.

However, Shen Shiwei, a Chinese journalist working for state-owned CGTN, tweeted that the lake was open for tourists for quite a long time.

🇨🇳Actually, #PangongTso in #China is open to tourists at home and abroad for quite a long time.
The lake is near Chinese national highway, a good place for self-driving travel. We have a resort on the lake there. 😆 pic.twitter.com/ZbaWDUw1gk

— Shen Shiwei 沈诗伟 (@shen_shiwei) September 8, 2020

“Pangong Tso in China is open to tourists at home and abroad for quite a long time. The lake is near the Chinese national highway and is a good place for self-driving travel. We have a resort on the lake here,” he said.