China has deployed nearly a quarter of its nuclear missile force in Tibet [Images] threatening the ecosystem of the entire region, a new book by a former Research & Analysis Wing official has claimed.

The book Asian Strategic and Military Persepective by R S N Singh said China had deployed at least two dozen ballistic missiles, including nuclear-capable Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, in Tibet, posing a strategic threat to India.

"A nuclear missile launch site is also located at Terlingkha, 217 km south-east of Tsaidam," the book, released by Indian Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh on Thursday, said.

China had taken up "massive" development of military infrastructure in Tibet and reportedly constructed 14 airbases and an oil pipeline from Gormo to Lhasa, it said.

As Tibet was the primary source of water for south and southeast Asia, as most rivers running through the region originate there, the nuclearisation of Tibet and the resultant impact of headwater pollution by nuclear pollutants could be devastating for countries like India, Pakistan and Bangaladesh, Singh said in the book.

Gen (Retd) V P Malik, president of the Institute of Security Studies, who was present at the release of the book at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, said it would "improve public awareness about India's strategic thinking".

Also Read:
'The Indian Air Force wanted to fight'