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{{short description|India/China army consultation locations}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2017}}
[[File:The Indo-China Conference hall (Indian side, BSF maintained).jpg|thumb|The Indo-China Conference hall at Nathu La]]
'''Border Personnel Meeting points''' are locations along the [[Sino-Indian border dispute|disputed Sino-Indian territories]] on [[Line of Actual Control]] (LAC) 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 the Indian Union Territory of [[Ladakh]], one in [[Sikkim]], and two in [[Arunachal Pradesh]] in India's Central and Eastern sectors.

India has identified the specific [[Patrol Point]]s with the specified route and the maximum depth up to which Indian troops usually patrol into the disputed territory on LAC. Patrolling points provide a truer sense of the extent of India's limits of actual control.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last1=Subramanian|first1=Nirupama|last2=Kaushik|first2=Krishn|date=2020-09-20|title=Month before standoff, China blocked 5 patrol points in Depsang|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/month-before-standoff-china-blocked-5-patrol-points-in-depsang-6602896/|access-date=2020-09-27|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Sushant|date=2020-07-13|title=Patrolling Points: What do these markers on the LAC signify?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-do-patrolling-points-pps-on-lac-signify-6496840/|access-date=2020-09-27|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2020-07-09|title=India-China LAC Standoff: Know what are patrolling points and what do they signify|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/india-china-lac-standoff-know-what-are-patrolling-points-and-what-do-they-signify/2018462/|access-date=2020-09-27|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:India disputed areas map.svg|thumb|Map showing [[List of disputed territories of India|disputed territories of India]]]]
[[File:Xinjiang prfc map2alt.png|thumb|Map of [[Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region]] with disputed areas shown in blue]]
[[File:Xizang prfc map.png|thumb|Map of [[Tibet Autonomous Region]] with disputed areas shown in blue]]
The border between [[China]] and [[India]] is {{convert|3488|km}} in length{{r|ndtv1}} and often in sparsely populated areas. Its exact location has never been formally defined and is thus vague and in dispute. Both governments patrol up to where they each believe the border lies. Indian and China began discussing the border in the 1980s.{{r|cd1}}

One aspect of an initiative of Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] to improve Indo-Chinese relations and reduce border tension was the creation of formal locations to hold Border Personnel Meetings.{{r|ndtv1}} Border Personnel Meeting points were established after the signing of a Border Defense Cooperation Agreement in October 2013.{{r|ie1}} The first three formal BPM Points were opened shortly after the agreement. Two additional locations were opened in 2015.{{r|ht1}}

Sino-Indian dispute is seen as the territory slicing aspect, one of many components, of [[China's salami slicing|China's salami slice strategy]].<ref name=terri1>[https://asiatimes.com/2020/10/wider-connotations-of-chinese-salami-slicing/ Wider connotations of Chinese ‘salami slicing’], Asia Times, 22 October 2020.</ref>

==BPM usage and types ==
{{ see also | Borders_of_India#Ceremony | l1= Border ceremonies of India | Wagah-Attari border ceremony | l2= Attari-Wagah Indo-Pak border ceremony }}

To facilitate cooperation and peace at the disputed border through consultation and interaction, the armies of both countries, the [[Indian Army]] and China's [[People's Liberation Army]] (PLA), hold meetings near the border called Border Personnel Meetings (BPMs). These meeting have been held since 1995.{{r|sify1}} Formal meeting points are at fixed locations and have infrastructure. Before they were used, meetings were not in permanent locations and could have been on either the Indian or Chinese side of the [[Line of Actual Control]] (LAC).{{r|oi1}}

{{ anchor | Type | Ceremony | Ceremonial BPM | Border ceremony }}
There are two types of BPMs. A ceremonial BPM is used for cultural exchange to build friendship and otherwise improve to bilateral defense relations between the two armies. Ceremonial BPMs have been held on [[New Year's Day]] (January 1),{{r|n18}} India's [[Republic Day]] (January 26), Harvest Festival (April 14),{{r|dc1}} May 15, [[PLA Day]], which commemorates the establishment of the Chinese PLA (August 1), and [[Indian Independence Day]] (August 15).{{r|sify1}} These meetings include the playing of each country's [[national anthem]] and saluting of their respective flags, and ceremonial addresses by representative of both armies.{{r|dc1}}

A BPM Flag Meeting is a meeting between the armies "used to resolve local issues like patrols inadvertently crossing over and prevents flare-ups".{{r|ndtv1}}

==Summary of BPM point locations==

BPM points at mountain passes along the border, from west to east, are: 

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Location NW to SE
|-
! BPM point (pass and sector) !! Indian State/UT !! Chinese Prefecture<br>(within [[Tibet Autonomous Region]]) || Formal Opening Date || Prior First Use || Details 
|-
| [[Daulat Beg Oldi|DBO]]-[[Tianwendian|TWD]]|| [[Ladakh]]  || [[Ngari Prefecture]] || Aug 2015 || Unknown || [[Karakoram Pass]] is also in this area.
|-
| [[Spanggur Gap]] ([[Chushul]]-Moldo)   || [[Ladakh]]  || [[Ngari Prefecture]] || 2013–2014 || Unknown || [[Moldo]] ({{lang-zh|莫爾多}}) post of the [[Indian Army]], coordinates {{coord|33.5575|N|78.732|E||display=inline}}. <br>Spanggur ({{lang-zh|斯潘古爾}}) post of the [[People's Liberation Army]] of [[China]], coordinate: {{coord|33.566|N|78.591|E||display=inline}}. This is near the [[Rezang La]].
|-
| [[Nathu La]]  || [[Sikkim]]             || [[Shigatse]] || 2013–2014 || <2006 || 
|-
| [[Bum La Pass]] ([[Tawang]])  || [[Arunachal Pradesh]]  || [[Nyingchi]] || 2013–2014 || <2006 || 
|-
| [[Kibithu]] ([[Walong Advanced Landing Ground|Walong]])  || [[Arunachal Pradesh]]  || [[Nyingchi]] || May 2015 || Nov 2006 || India's last village and border post on LAC is at [[Kaho, India|Kaho]] pass/village.
|}

==Details of BPM point locations==

===Moldo/Chushul - Spanggur-China===
[[Chushul]] is in the [[Leh district]] of the Indian state of [[Ladakh]] region.{{r|fp1|ti1}} The meeting point is named after the nearby town (Chushul) or the mountain pass (Spanggur Gap). An October 1, 2015 meeting was held there and simultaneously in [[Daulat Beg Oldi]] in which issues relating to a border confrontation in Ladakh in the prior month were resolved. Both countries agreed to return their troops to the previous positions.{{r|de1}} The meeting point and a nearby 1962 [[Sino-Indian War]] memorial are a tourist attraction.{{r|eland}} There is a meeting hut there.{{r|iam1}}

===Nathu La===
[[Nathu La]] is a mountain pass in the Indian state of [[Sikkim]] and once part of the  historic [[Silk Road]].{{r|ndtv1|ti1}} It is also one of three open trading border posts between China and India. Along with Bum La Pass, it was one of the first two informal locations used in the first decade of BPMs.{{r|oi1}}

===Bum La Pass===
[[Bum La Pass]] is a mountain pass in the [[Tawang district]] of the Indian state [[Arunachal Pradesh]],{{r|ti1|ndtv1}} {{convert|42|km}} north of the town of [[Tawang]] at an altitude of {{convert|15,134|ft}}.{{r|ti2}} Fierce fighting took place there during the 1962 border war when China invaded India through the pass.

Ceremonial meetings were held there every year on August 15 (Indian Independence Day) from 2006 to 2016. The Chinese did not participate in 2017 due to a [[2017 China–India border standoff|border standoff]] in [[Doklam]].{{r|voga1}} Both armies resumed meeting on October 30, their first since the conflict ended on August 28.{{r|ti2}} Along with Nathu La, it was one of the first two informal locations used in the first decade of BPMs.{{r|oi1}}

===Kibithu===
[[Kibithu]] is in the [[Anjaw District]] of the Indian State of [[Arunachal Pradesh]] and opened in May 2015.{{r|ht1}} The first meeting there between the Indian and Chinese military occurred in conjunction with Prime Minister Modi's China visit of May 14–16.{{r|ndtv1}} At this meeting, Modi and Chinese [[Premier of the People's Republic of China|Premier]] [[Li Keqiang]] agreed to open additional meeting points to improve bilateral defense relations.{{r|ht1}} The first BPM was held here in 2006, well before the location was formalized as a meeting point. That meeting coincided with the first visit to India by Chinese President [[Hu Jintao]] and at the time was the third "informal" meeting point.{{r|oi1}} The exact meeting point is at [[Kaho, India|Kaho]] pass on LAC, which is India's last village and pass, there is ITBP post north of Kaho. The Kaho village itself is north of Kibithu and Walong AGL base. All of these are on the bank of [[Lohit River]], a left bank tributary of [[Brahmaputra]], which flows north to south from China to India.

===Daulat Beg Oldi - Tianwendian===
[[Daulat Beg Oldi]] is in the [[Ladakh]] region and opened in 2015.{{r|ht1}} [[Tianwendian]], a Chinese military camp is on the Chinese side near [[Depsang Plains]] in the region of [[Aksai Chin]], an area controlled by China but claimed by [[India]]. It is the highest meeting point.{{r|n18}}

The first meeting at this location was held on August 1, 2015 (PLA Day).  The events included a Chinese cultural program and other ceremonies meant to improve relations. Later in the month, India hosted a delegation from the PLA on the occasion of [[Indian Independence Day]] and celebrated with traditional songs and dances from Indian culture, [[Gatka]] martial arts, and motorcycle acrobatics performed by the [[Indian Army Corps of Signals]].{{r|ie1}} The first ceremonial BPM ever held on New Year's Day was here in 2016.{{r|n18}}

A meeting hut was constructed approximately a year after the meeting point was opened.{{r|iam1}}

The meeting point is at an especially sensitive location as it was the region of many Chinese incursions.{{r|fp1}} The meeting point is at an elevation of {{convert|16,000|ft}} and hosts one of the highest airstrips in the world.{{r|fp1}} It is the northernmost meeting point.{{r|ie1}} A three-week long confrontation occurred here in 2013 when China objected to Indian fortifications at [[Chumur]].{{r|ndtv1}} The airstrip was unused from the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|1965 India-Pakistan war]] until 2008 when India sought to show its ability to respond to threats in the remote region and landed an [[Antonov-32]] transport plane there. Five years later, India sent another transport, a [[C-130J Super Hercules]] to the base. India considers this location strategically important as a point from which to control the [[Karakoram Highway]] between [[Gilgit-Baltistan]], Pakistan and China's [[Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region]]. Such control would be important in the event of a war between India and China.{{r|fp1}}

===Proposed meeting points===

In 2014, establishment of a meeting point at [[Lipulekh Pass]] in [[Uttarakhand]], {{convert|35|km}} from the Chinese town of [[Burang Town|Burang]], close to [[Changla]] was discussed.{{r|ti1}}

In April 2016, discussions began on creating a meeting point in middle sector of the border, possibly in the [[Himachal Pradesh]] (either [[Kaurik]] or [[Shipki La]]) - [[Uttarakhand]] (either [[Pulam Sumda]] or [[Barahoti]]) region on the Indian side in a site logistically convenient for both sides.{{r|ht1}} Discussions occurred in [[Beijing]] between Indian defense minister [[Manohar Parrikar]] and Chinese military and civilian leadership.{{r|it1}}

===BOM points map ===

{{OSM Location map
|float = 
|height= 500
|width= 1000
| coord = {{coord|31.3|87.0}}              
| mark-coord  = {{coord|33.5575   |78.732   }} |label =Moldo/Chushul  |label-pos  = left  | mark-size  = 5| mark  = Green pog.svg 
| mark-coord1 = {{coord|33.566    |78.791   }} |label1=Spanggur-China |label-pos1 = right | mark-size1 = 5 
| mark-coord2 = {{coord|27.386844 |88.831142}} |label2=Nathu La       |label-pos2 = left  | mark-size2 = 10| mark2 = Yellow pog.svg 
| mark-coord3 = {{coord|27.723611 |91.891667}} |label3=Bum La Pass    |label-pos3 = bottom| mark-size3 = 10| mark3 = Yellow pog.svg 
| mark-coord4 = {{coord|28.284167 |97.015556}} |label4=Kibithu        |label-pos4 = left  | mark-size4 = 10| mark4 = Green pog.svg 
| mark-coord5 = {{coord|35.3769   |78.0417  }} |label5= Daulet Beg Oldi - Tianwendian |label-pos5 = right | mark-size5 = 10| mark5 = Yellow pog.svg 
| mark-coord6 = {{coord|30.23408  |81.028805}} |label6=Lipulekh Pass  |label-pos6 = right | mark-size6 = 10| mark6 = Blue pog.svg  | label-color6 = blue 
| mark-coord7 = {{coord|31.354035 |79.212855}} |label7=proposed       |label-pos7 = right | mark-size7 = 10| mark7 = Blue pog.svg  | label-color7 = blue 
| zoom = 6  <!--(1=whole world, 18=a street)-->
| caption = '''Border Personnel Meeting points'''<br>(locations in China in red, locations on LAC in yellow, locations in India in green, proposed/discussed expressed in blue) Borders present/absent as per OSM editors.
}}
{{clear}}

==See also==
* [[India-China Border Roads]]
* [[Line of Actual Control]]
* [[Line of Control]]
* [[McMahon Line]]
* [[Sino-Indian border dispute]]
* [[Sino-Indian relations]]

==References==
{{reflist|refs=

<ref name=ndtv1>{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-china-activate-5th-border-meeting-point-at-16000-feet-1202883|title=An Airstrip at 16,000 Feet Becomes Meeting Point Between India and China|date=Aug 1, 2015|first=Sudhi|last=Ranjan Sen|newspaper=NDTV|accessdate=April 26, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=cd1>{{cite news|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2015-09/15/content_21853082.htm/|title=Border 'confrontation' reports dismissed|date=Sep 15, 2015|first=Jingxi|last=Mo|newspaper=ChinaDaily.com.cn|accessdate=April 26, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=ti1>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indian-soldiers-prevent-Chinese-troops-from-constructing-road-in-Arunachal/articleshow/44953671.cms|title=Indian soldiers prevent Chinese troops from constructing road in Arunachal|date=Oct 28, 2014|accessdate=Nov 11, 2017|newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref>

<ref name=ti2>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indian-chinese-troops-hold-ceremonial-border-meet-in-arunchal/articleshow/61347258.cms|title=Indian, Chinese troops hold ceremonial border meet in Arunchal|date=Oct 30, 2017|accessdate=Nov 19, 2017|newspaper=The Times of India|first=Fajat|last=Pandit}}</ref>

<ref name=ie1>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/new-border-meeting-point-at-daulat-beg-oldie-in-ladakh-sector/|title=New Indo-China border meeting point at Daulat Beg Oldie in Ladakh sector|date=Aug 15, 2015|first=Adil|last=Akhzer|newspaper=The Indian Express|accessdate=April 26, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=ht1>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/india-china-discussing-new-meeting-point-for-military-personnel/story-dWDw1Syu7t3Lv0nGfDeNyO.html|title=India, China discussing new meeting point for military personnel|date=Jan 12, 2016|first=Sutirtho|last=Patranobis|newspaper=Hindustan Times|accessdate=April 26, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=it1>{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-china-look-at-new-border-meeting-point-as-parrikar-visits/1/644796.html/|title=India, China look at new border meeting point as Parrikar visits|date=April 17, 2016|first=Ananth|last=Krishnan|newspaper=indiatoday|accessdate=April 26, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=fp1>{{cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/new-border-meeting-venue-china-extends-olive-branch-india-ladakh-will-last-2375730.html|title=New border meeting venue: China extends an olive branch to India in Ladakh, but will it last?|date=Aug 2, 2015|first=Rajeev|last=Sharma|newspaper=Firstpost|accessdate=April 26, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name="de1">{{cite news|title=Sino-Indian Troops Meet At Two BPMs; Reiterate Call For Peace|url=http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/archives/archives2015/kashmir20151001a.html|accessdate=November 19, 2017|work=The Daily Excelsior|date=October 1, 2015}}</ref>

<ref name="eland">{{cite web|title=Ladhaka Tours|url=https://www.elandholidays.com/ladhakh-tours/amazing-himalayan-trails-with-loc.php|website=elandholidays.com|accessdate=November 19, 2017}}</ref>

<ref name="iam1">{{cite news|title=India, China hold meet in Ladakh on Independence Day|url=http://indiaatmelbourne.com.au/india/india-china-hold-meet-in-ladakh-on-independence-day/|accessdate=November 19, 2017|work=India at Melbourne|date=August 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030357/http://indiaatmelbourne.com.au/india/india-china-hold-meet-in-ladakh-on-independence-day/|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="oi1">{{cite news|title=India, China on with Border Personnel Meeting|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2006/11/15/india-china-go-ahead-with-kibithu-border-personnel-meeting-1163597704.html|accessdate=November 19, 2017|work=oneindia|date=November 15, 2006}}</ref>

<ref name="voga1">{{cite news|title=Chinese Army Declines invitation of Indian Army on Independence Day to Participate in Border Personnel's Meeting at Arunachal Border|url=http://www.voiceofgreaterassam.com/chinese-army-declined-invitation-of-indian-army-on-indian-independence-day-to-participate-in-border-personnels-meeting-at-arunachal-border/|accessdate=November 24, 2017|work=Voga News|date=August 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120161637/http://www.voiceofgreaterassam.com/chinese-army-declined-invitation-of-indian-army-on-indian-independence-day-to-participate-in-border-personnels-meeting-at-arunachal-border|archive-date=November 20, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="sify1">{{cite web|title=Bonhomie, friendship between Indian and Chinese border personnel at Nathu La|url=http://www.sify.com/news/bonhomie-friendship-between-indian-and-chinese-border-personnel-at-nathu-la-news-national-mipr4qjgajesi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044429/http://www.sify.com/news/bonhomie-friendship-between-indian-and-chinese-border-personnel-at-nathu-la-news-national-mipr4qjgajesi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 1, 2017|website=sify.com|accessdate=November 24, 2017}}</ref>

<ref name="dc1">{{cite news|last1=Yusuf|first1=Jameel|title=India, China officials meet on Ladakh border, pledge to maintain LAC sanctity|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/140416/india-china-officials-meet-on-ladakh-border-pledge-to-maintain-lac-sanctity.html|access-date=November 24, 2017|work=Deccn Chronicle|date=April 14, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name=n18>{{cite web|url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/indian-chinese-armies-decide-to-improve-ties-at-functional-level-1184462.html|title=Indian, Chinese armies decide to improve ties at functional level|website=News18|date=January 2, 2016 |accessdate=September 14, 2017}}</ref>

}}

{{China–India relations}}
{{Borders of China}}
{{Borders of India}}

[[Category:China–India border crossings]]
[[Category:Sino-Indian border dispute]]