GUWAHATI: This Independence Day, India and China opened a new point for officials of the armies of the two countries to meet, hailed as an 'ice-breaker' by Indian defence officials, signalling the beginning of positive relations between the two countries.The officials met at the relatively low-altitude Kepang La (1,915m), northwest of Gelling village, where the Yarlong Tsangpo river from Tibet enters into India as the Siang river, which later joins the Lohit to form the Brahmaputra in Assam.Defence PRO Col C Konwer told TOI, "At the new location at Kepang La Indian Army and People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops met on August 15, marking a historic day in Indo-Chinese relationship. The Indian Army delegation was led by Col Manish Joshi and the PLA delegation was led by Col Chen Sau Feng. The two sides had eight members each and both sides welcomed the opportunity for opening of this new location allowing for a better contact process to resolve any issues in times to come.""Gifts were exchanged. Both sides affirmed their resolve to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation for maintaining peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control," the PRO added.It was in this sector that the Chinese PLA had brought in bulldozers to build a road last January, prompting a build-up of India military base there. In 1962, Kepang La was one of the entry points for the Chinese PLA, which had engaged with the Indian Army here.However, defence sources said efforts are on to put the past behind and engaged in improving bilateral ties at the political level. "The Kapeng La meeting was to break the ice between the two armies. Unlike other border points where meetings take place, there was no such formal meeting at Kapeng La on Independence Day. Indian officers met PLA officers and presented them with gifts as a goodwill gesture." This happened at a time when GOC-in-C of Eastern Command of the Indian Army, Lt Gen Abhay Krishna is on official visit to China from 15-19 August in Beijing.On the day, the customary border personnel meetings (BPMs) were held at Kibithu on the Indian side and Damai on Chinese side of the LAC on the eastern border. The Indian delegation was led by a Brigadier of the Dao Division while the Chinese delegation was led by Sr Colonel Liwen Jian. The two delegations comprised military officials from each side. In this northeastern frontier of the country bordering China, such BPMs also held at Bum La near Tawang

Stay updated with all the Latest Guwahati headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.