The current conflicts in Europe and the Middle East have led to an urgent review by nations globally, with respect to their military preparedness and security strategies. These conflicts have once again re-established the probability of conventional conflict, especially where there are festering issues of dissonance between neighbouring nation states. Therefore, the increased belligerence of an assertive China, manifesting in hegemonistic actions in its extended neighbourhood, is a matter of concern for India. It is necessary for India to be awareof the socio-economic and infrastructure changes in China’s bordering autonomous regions of Xinjiang and Tibet, which have an impact on its war-waging capabilities. This article studies the transformational changes underway in these two bordering regions, that impinge directly on India’s security.