On May 1, observed as Labour Day, the first Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) was held at Chushul-Moldo point on the Chinese side in Ladakh sector.
To enhance confidence building measures (CBMs) between Indian and Chinese Armies, changes have been introduced in patrolling patterns to make it less aggressive, besides providing prior information about patrols.
The new protocol that includes a series of measures were discussed when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met last week in Wuhan and decided to issue strategic guidance to their militaries to de-escalate tension after last year's 73-day Doklam stand-off.
On May 1, observed as Labour Day, the first Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) was held at Chushul-Moldo point on the Chinese side in Ladakh sector. It was the first Border Personnel Meet since two leaders met in China.
Both the armies met amid bonhomie and gift exchange on the Arunachal Pradesh border at Wacha, sources said.
More meetings and better communication between field commanders is also a part of the confidence buidling measure.
Officials privy to the new protocol said troops going on patrol have been advised not to carry mobile phones or cameras. The decision was prompted by both sides realising how, at times, small incidents snowball into a big controversy, after videos of a scuffle got leaked.
Post Doklam, the Indian Army had been in a state of heightened vigilance along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and had increased the frequency of long-range patrols.
Other than foot patrols, aerial reconnaissance, satellite imagery and intelligence operations are being carried out to watch every move of the Chinese and avert another Doklam-like situation.
Recently, the Chinese objected to increased patrols in Asaphila area of Arunachal Pradesh dubbing it as a transgression attempt by Indian troops.
The 73-day stand-off last year was triggered after the movement of Indian troop was intercepted by Chinese road construction in Doklam — a region under dispute between China and Bhutan. It was believed that road connectivity would give China direct access to the Siliguri corridor, giving them strategic advantage — which had to be stopped, since it violates the status quo agreed upon by the three countries.
There were 426 Chinese transgressions recorded in 2017, a big jump from 2016, when the number was 273.
There have been close to 80 transgression reported this year.
Just ahead of Prime Minster Modi's visit, a government report stated that Chinese troops carried out 21 transgressions in a span of 19 days.
Transgressions
- There were 426 Chinese transgressions recorded in 2017, a big jump from 2016, when the number was 273.
- There have been close to 80 transgression reported this year.
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