India and its Neighbours
02-10-2017
India and its Neighbours China ignores a yearly practice Introduction India and China may have made peace after the Doklam crisis at the BRICS summit, but suspicions still linger on the ground. China has not invited India for the ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to commemorate its National Day on October 1. This development comes before the crucial National Congress of the Communist Party of China later this month, which is considered very important for President Xi Jinping.
Previous Incident The last time a similar incident occurred was on August 15 to commemorate India’s Independence Day at the height of the Doklam stand-off. While India had sent an invitation, China did not respond to it. However, both sides exchanged sweets on that occasion. The two sides ended the stand-off just before the BRICS summit in China, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Jinping held bilateral discussions on the sidelines. Showcasing culture Ceremonial BPMs are held on National Days and, usually, the process of inviting and confirming is carried out a couple of days in advance. It is seen as an opportunity for each side to showcase its traditions and cultural diversity to the other. Five points There are five BPM points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh, Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in Ladakh, and Nathu La in Sikkim. Border Personnel Meeting (BPM)
The BPM commences by saluting the national flags of both countries followed by the address of the delegation leaders. Both sides highlighted the importance of such meetings for maintenance of peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Both sides reaffirm their commitment to uphold the agreements and protocols signed between their governments to maintain peace and tranquillity along the borders. Line of Actual Control (LAC)
The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the effective border between India and China. The LAC is 4,057km long and traverses three areas of northern Indian states: western (Ladakh, Kashmir), middle (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh) and eastern (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh). "India is used to incursions by Chinese troops across the 4,057-km LAC in all the three sectors— western (Ladakh), middle (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh) and eastern (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh)— in a bid to strengthen China's claim over disputed areas and ensure New Delhi does not
www.way2upsc.com
Page 1
02-10-2017
India and its Neighbours
change its Tibet policy." Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai used the phrase in a letter addressed to Indian Prime Minister Nehru dated October 24, 1959. In a letter dated November 7, Zhou told Nehru that the LAC consisted of "the so-called McMahon Line in the east and the line up to which each side exercises actual control in the west".
Key words Doklam crisis BRICS summit Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) Line of Actual Control (LAC)
www.way2upsc.com
Page 2
India and its Neighbours China ignores a yearly practice Introduction India and China may have made peace after the Doklam crisis at the BRICS summit, but suspicions still linger on the ground. China has not invited India for the ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to commemorate its National Day on October 1. This development comes before the crucial National Congress of the Communist Party of China later this month, which is considered very important for President Xi Jinping.
Previous Incident The last time a similar incident occurred was on August 15 to commemorate India’s Independence Day at the height of the Doklam stand-off. While India had sent an invitation, China did not respond to it. However, both sides exchanged sweets on that occasion. The two sides ended the stand-off just before the BRICS summit in China, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Jinping held bilateral discussions on the sidelines. Showcasing culture Ceremonial BPMs are held on National Days and, usually, the process of inviting and confirming is carried out a couple of days in advance. It is seen as an opportunity for each side to showcase its traditions and cultural diversity to the other. Five points There are five BPM points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh, Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in Ladakh, and Nathu La in Sikkim. Border Personnel Meeting (BPM)
The BPM commences by saluting the national flags of both countries followed by the address of the delegation leaders. Both sides highlighted the importance of such meetings for maintenance of peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Both sides reaffirm their commitment to uphold the agreements and protocols signed between their governments to maintain peace and tranquillity along the borders. Line of Actual Control (LAC)
The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the effective border between India and China. The LAC is 4,057km long and traverses three areas of northern Indian states: western (Ladakh, Kashmir), middle (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh) and eastern (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh). "India is used to incursions by Chinese troops across the 4,057-km LAC in all the three sectors— western (Ladakh), middle (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh) and eastern (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh)— in a bid to strengthen China's claim over disputed areas and ensure New Delhi does not
www.way2upsc.com
Page 1
02-10-2017
India and its Neighbours
change its Tibet policy." Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai used the phrase in a letter addressed to Indian Prime Minister Nehru dated October 24, 1959. In a letter dated November 7, Zhou told Nehru that the LAC consisted of "the so-called McMahon Line in the east and the line up to which each side exercises actual control in the west".
Key words Doklam crisis BRICS summit Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) Line of Actual Control (LAC)
www.way2upsc.com
Page 2
