Bumla hosts BPM of India-China troops

BUMLA, May 30: Army personnel of India and China on Wednesday held a Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) at Bumla in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district during which both sides resolved to maintain peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control.

Located at an altitude of 15,134ft and situated 42 kms north of Tawang town, Bumla, which almost 462 kms from here is one of the five designated BPM venues, between Indian and Chinese troops.

The Indian delegation was led by Brig M P Singh, YSM, SM Commander of Tawang Brigade while Senior Colonel Tang Fu Cheng Commander of Tsona Dzong Garrison led the People's Liberation Army in the meeting.

The BPM mechanism commenced as a confidence building measure to enhance bonhomie and cooperation between the two largest armies of the world. In last 28 years, the BPM mechanism has involved into a vital platform for resolving local issues and fostering mutual confidence with a view to enhance peace and tranquility in the sector.

The Border Personnel Meeting on Wednesday was marked by unfurling the National flags of both the countries and the same was followed by formal address by the delegation leaders. The mutual desire to enhance cooperation and maintain cordial relations was evident especially after the informal meeting of National Leaders at Wuhan.

The delegations parted amidst a feeling of friendship towards enhancing cooperation and maintaining the peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the agreements and protocols signed between their Governments to maintain peace and tranquility along the borders.

Border Personnel Meeting points are locations along the disputed Sino-Indian border where the armies of both countries hold ceremonial and practical meetings to resolve border issues and improve relations. While border meetings have been held since the 1990s, the first formal Border Personnel Meeting point was established in 2013.

There are five meeting points, two in Jammu and Kashmir, one in Sikkim, and two in Arunachal Pradesh.