In the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, China will not host the customary border personnel meeting (BPM) with India on May one, International Labour Day, on designated places on the Line of Actual Control(LAC).  Instead, the armies of both the nations will greet each other on the local hotlines this year.

This border personnel meeting between the troops of both the countries is part of confidence building measures(CBM)with India also hosting similar ceremonial events on the occasion of the Republic Day and Independence Day.

There are five mutually agreed points or meeting centres on the 4,000 km long LAC where apart from such ceremonial meets local commanders on both sides also meet to sort out differences during incidents of transgressions and stand-offs between the troops of two countries.

Confirming that the Chinese army has, so far, not extended event for the May One event, sources said here on Thursday, the Indian Army will wish their Chinese counterparts on three locations including two in Ladakh and one in Arunachal Pradesh.  The five designated points for BPMs are Moldo and Spangur gap (Chusul) in Ladakh, Natu La(Sikkim) and Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh.

The ceremonial functions include cultural events and lunch and the meetings commence with saluting the national flag by members of the delegations. This is followed by the ceremonial address by delegation leaders and exchange of greetings and gifts.

These meetings form part of the CBMs to maintain peace and tranquility on the LAC.  The disputed border has not seen a single shot fired in anger in the last 45 years or so.  The two nations fought a war in 1962.