These are some light-hearted ideas to defuse border tensions floated ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Beijing visit in October, during which both countries hope to sign off some big-ticket items. Already, Indian and Chinese soldiers—who are usually eyeball-to-eyeball at border posts—let off steam at celebrations organised by each other on their national days; August 15 for India and October 1 for China.
Holi is on the agenda. As peace propaganda, Indian and Chinese soldiers daubing themselves with coloured powder will make for great publicity photos.
“The idea is to keep border tensions down and let the soldiers get to know one another,” said the official.
Despite the repeated ‘intrusions’ at the border, which remains un-demarcated over long stretches especially in the western sector, hardly any hostility is apparent when the patrols come face-to-face. This was obvious during the 21-day standoff at Depsang valley, when Chinese troops pitched five tents inside the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control, and the Indian army did the same.
“It was remarkable that the body language of the Chinese soldiers held no tension. At no time during the three weeks, did either side reach for the gun,” said a senior government official.
Yet, as the Ladakh incident continues to be a bothersome factor in Sino-Indian relations, ways to defuse tensions will be a main theme of Manmohan’s visit. Sources said that the border defence cooperation agreement, which is currently under negotiation, would be inked during the visit. Measures like setting up a hotline between the director generals of both military operations, that had been passed by the Cabinet last month would also be put into practice.
The Sunday Standard