Pakistan exchanges Independence Day sweets at Border, China distances

On a day when arch rival Pakistan exchanged sweets at the border with Indian soldiers on the occasion of 71st Independence Day, Chinese troops distanced themselves from the event.
BSF and PAK Rangers perform a flag-lowering ceremony during the beating of the retreat ceremony on the occasion of independence day at Attari- Wagah Border on Tuesday evening. | PTI
BSF and PAK Rangers perform a flag-lowering ceremony during the beating of the retreat ceremony on the occasion of independence day at Attari- Wagah Border on Tuesday evening. | PTI

NEW DELHI: On a day when arch rival Pakistan exchanged sweets at the border with Indian soldiers on the occasion of 71st Independence Day, Chinese troops distanced themselves from the event.

Chinese military did not attend the two-decade old practice of holding Border Personnel Meeting (BMP), on the occasion of India’s Independence Day. 

"No delegation from People Liberation Army came to our side to attend the ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting. Holding of such meetings at important as it was part of the confidence building measures mechanism between the two neighbours," said a government source.

There are five BPM points at Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh, Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in Ladakh and Nathu La in Sikkim.

Chinese and Indian soldiers are engaged in an eyeball to eyeball situation since June 16th after Indian troops objected to road construction by Chinese soldiers in a strategically important Dokalam plateau close to Sikkim border.

Since then, over 300 soldiers from each side are camping at the disputed site. And multiple efforts to break the ice have not yielded any positive outcome including National Security Adviser Ajit Doval's visit to Beijing last month.

Now all eyes are on Prime minister Narendra Modi's next month visit to China to take part in the BRICS summit where leaders from both sides are expected to resolve the issue.

Meanwhile, on the other side, On the occasion of the country’s 71st Independence Day on Tuesday, security forces of India and Pakistan, posted at the international Attari-Wagah border in Punjab, exchanged sweets and greetings to mark the day. 

Notwithstanding repeated violations of the ceasefire by Pakistan troops at the Line of control, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistani Rangers exchanged pleasantries at the border. A small cultural ceremony was held before the two forces exchanged sweets.

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