Ceremonial Independence Day meeting between India, China armies unlikely

The two armies held a flag meeting at Nathu La was held last week to sort out the Doklam crisis. The meeting, however, ended with no resolution.

With the standoff between the Indian and Chinese army in Bhutan continuing for the 9th week, the ceremonial meeting between the two armies on August 15 - India's Independence Day - looks uncertain.

The Indian and Chinese armies are engaged in a face off at Doklam Plateau in Bhutan. China wants to construct a road through the Doklam Plateau - claimed by both Bhutan and China. India has objected to the road and has deployed the army to prevent the road from being built.

Every year the two armies meet at the BPM huts along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on pre-designated days like August 15, Jauanry 26 - India's Republic Day, PLA Day on August 1, as a goodwill gesture.

This year India didn't attend the August 1 PLA Day ceremonial meeting.

There are five BPM points along the LAC where these ceremonial meetings are hosted - Depsang in sub-sector north and Sappangur Gap (both on eastern Ladakh), Nathu La in Sikkim and Bumla and Kibithoo in Arunachal Pradesh.

The BPM points are also used by local commanders for flag meetings to sort ground level differences.

The two armies held a flag meet at Nathu La last week to sort out the Doklam crisis. The meeting, however, ended with no resolution.

Although the level of the meeting was raised with each side nominating a Major General level officer, both sides stuck to their stated positions. China demands that Indian Army withdraw whereas India asked China to stop the road construction and withdraw their army.