Volkswacht Bodensee - India and China have not named two new border meeting sites

An eight-point outcome issued after the August 26 meeting of special representatives on the boundary question called for two additional Border Personnel Meeting points and two venues for general-level or senior highest military commander-level talks. India was represented by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and China by Wang Yi, a Politburo member and director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission office.

Five BPM sites currently operate: Daulat Beg Oldie and Chushul in Ladakh, Nathu La in Sikkim, and Kibithu and Bum La in Arunachal Pradesh. The mechanism allows local forces to address incidents and confidence-building issues. Government sources said local commanders held at least two meetings at Kepang La in Upper Siang district over the past year.

China’s People’s Liberation Army proposed Kepang La near Tuting as an agreed flag-meeting site. The pass has religious significance because communities on both sides visit a Buddhist chorten there. Chinese troops used it during the 1962 war, in which at least 11 Indian soldiers were killed. A final decision has not been taken. The countries share a 3,488-kilometre border from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh, with sections not mutually defined.

Separately, a People’s Party of Arunachal fact-finding committee alleged persistent Chinese intrusions around Taksing in Upper Subansiri and gaps in year-round Indian patrolling. Its July 10 report cited residents who said Shera-5 Point became inaccessible after a 2023 confrontation and that Nanga Pahar had effectively become restricted. The committee said Indian patrols were largely seasonal from April to October while PLA activity continued through winter. Army sources denied the allegations.

O.Schlaepfer--VB