Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 1

To celebrate New Year, Indian and Chinese armies held two ceremonial border personnel meetings (BPMs) at Chushul-Moldo and Daulat Beg Oldi-TWD meeting points in eastern Ladakh.

The meetings were organised on the invitation of the People’s Liberation Army, China.

The Indian delegation was led by Maj Gen Sanjiv Rai and Col SS Lamba and the Chinese delegation by Senior Col Liu Hou Jie and Col Song Zhang Li. Giving details, a Northern Command spokesman said the ceremonial meetings commenced with the delegation members saluting the national flags. “This was followed by the ceremonial address comprising of exchange of greetings, wishes and vote of thanks. The address reflected the mutual desire of maintaining and improving relations at functional level at the border,” he said.

Thereafter, a programme showcasing Chinese culture and traditions was organised, the spokesman added.

The ceremonial BPMs were held in the backdrop of successful conduct of exercise at Chengdu in China wherein troops of both the countries interacted, participated in joint exercises and shared experiences. The spokesman said both the delegations interacted in a free, congenial and cordial environment. “The delegations parted amid feeling of friendship and commitment towards enhancing the existing cordial relations and maintaining peace along the border. Both sides also sought to build on the mutual feeling to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border,” he said.