'Sino-Indian border situation has improved'

The situation along the Sino-Indian border has changed for the better and the two countries were now collaborating in key areas like energy, a senior Indian Air Force official has said.

"Both China and India are growing economic powers and together buy energy sources. Thus I do not think there will be any more military battle (between them)," said Air Marshal P K Barbora, the chief of the IAF's Eastern Air Command which operates along the border with China in Arunachal Pradesh.

Interacting with visiting reporters recently at the command's headquarters in Shillong, Barbora, the first officer from the northeast to head an IAF command, recollected the Chinese agression in the north-east in 1962.

"It had been a setback, but since then the situation has changed for the better," he said.

Listing his priorities, Barbora said his main aim would be to protect the borders to ensure that the "people of the north-east have a good night's sleep."

He, however, said there was a lukewarm response from youths in the region to join the forces, a trend which had to be changed.

"With an increasing amount of funds being pumped into the region and better educational and training facilities, the youths should take advantage of opportunities and join lucrative careers," Barbora said.