China is set to host the third Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation on October 4-5 in Nyingchi, Tibet, near the disputed border with India. Pakistan’s acting foreign minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, has been invited to attend the forum, as have representatives from Mongolia and Afghanistan.
The Trans-Himalaya Forum is a platform for regional countries to discuss cooperation on issues such as geographical connectivity, environmental protection, ecological preservation, and cultural exchanges. However, the forum’s proximity to the Arunachal border and Pakistan’s participation are likely to raise concerns in India.
China has said that the forum aims to “promote regional peace and stability and accelerate the development of the Trans-Himalayan region.”
The forum’s location near the Arunachal border is likely to raise concerns in India, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as its own territory. China also claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory, calling it “South Tibet.”
India and China have been engaged in a long-standing border dispute over Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as part of its territory. The two countries have clashed on the border on several occasions, and tensions have been high in recent years.
Pakistan’s participation in the forum is also likely to be viewed with suspicion by India. Pakistan and India have been bitter rivals for decades, and the two countries have fought several wars against each other.
India has not been invited to the forum, and it is unclear whether it will raise objections to the forum’s location.
India has not yet commented on the upcoming forum, but it is likely to be a major topic of discussion between Indian and Chinese officials at their next round of border talks.
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