New Delhi, October 1: In a significant signal, India and China will not holding their ceremonial border personnel meeting (BPM) to mark China’s Annual Day on Sunday, October 1. The annual ceremonial meeting was to be hosted by China and conducted at the five designated BPM points across the breadth of the 3,488 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) – the de facto boundary between the two countries along the Himalayan ridgeline. “China has not sent an invite for the BPM on October 1,” a senior functionary confirmed. At the last such scheduled ceremonial BPM on August 15 — at the peak of a stand-off between the two countries at Bhutan’s Doklam — troops on both sides exchanged sweets.
Beijing’s move comes just four weeks after the two neighbours ended the 73-day military stand-off. It will be keenly analysed in South Block — the seat of power in New Delhi. Security and strategic affairs mandarins in capitals like Tokyo, Islamabad, Washington DC and Moscow will also be watching the move. At ceremonial BPMs, Brigadier-level officers from both sides lead the delegations. The meetings are different from flag-meetings conducted to lodge protests of transgressions.