For the first time Chinese military officials and troops will join Indian Independence Day celebrations at the Bumla pass border post near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

Public Relations Officer of the 3rd Indian Army Corp Major Jaideep Ghosh said, "They will join flag hoisting, they will participate in our cultural functions, it will all be in great spirit." The 3rd Indian army corps guards India's eastern border with China.

Fifteen senior Chinese military officials with their families and guard escorts from the Tibet Autonomous Region will attend.

Major Ghosh said the Chinese side had expressed a "strong desire" to join the celebrations and the Indian Army decided to "welcome them with open arms".

"I am not a political leader so I cannot interpret much on political terms, but as a soldier I can tell you this is definitely indicative of our growing friendship," Major Ghosh said.

During 1962 India-China war Bumla fell to the Chinese Army on the third day and Tawang fell within another week. But the Chinese Army later retreated.

Agencies