New point opened for Indian and Chinese armies to meet

GUWAHATI: India and China opened a new point for officers of the armies of the two countries to meet. The move is being called as an “icebreaker” by senior Indian defence officials.

In the northwest of Gelling village, at Kepang la (1,915 m), the officials met. It is where the Yarlong Tsangpo river from Tibet enters India as the Siang river which joins the Lohit to form the Brahmaputra in Assam.

“At the new location at Kepang la Indian Army and People’s Liberation Army troops met on August 15, marking a historic day in the India-China relationship. The Indian Army delegation was led by Col Manish Joshi and the PLA delegation by Col Chen Sau Feng. The two sides had eight members each and both sides welcomed the opportunity for the opening of this new location and allowing for a better contact process to resolve any issues in times to come,” said Col C Konwer, the defence PRO.

The PRO added saying, “Gifts were exchanged. Both sides affirmed their resolve to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation for maintaining peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control.”

The Chinese PLA had brought bulldozers to build a road last January. Sources from the defence said efforts are being made to leave the past behind and to improve relations between them. This meeting is to break the ice between the Indian and the Chinese armies.