Sino-Indian troops hold parleys in Ladakh on PLA Day

Excelsior Correspondent

India, China Army officials during a meeting at DBO in Ladakh on Saturday.
India, China Army officials during a meeting at DBO in Ladakh on Saturday.

JAMMU, Aug 1: For the first time ever, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) today hosted an Indian Army delegation in the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) area along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh sector today on the occasion of PLA Day.
Defence officials said the day marked a milestone in India-China ties at the border-troops level as the PLA hosted an Indian Army delegation for the first time in the area of Daulat Beg Oldie, a sector where the Chinese troops were involved in skirmishes with the Indian troops a couple of years back.
“The Indian delegation was led by Colonel BS Uppal and the Chinese delegation by Colonel Song Zhoanli,” sources said, adding that the Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) on the occasion of PLA Day is organised every year by Chinese troops with great enthusiasm.
Another BPM meeting between the two sides was likely to be held on August 15 on the occasion of Independence Day of India.
“The occasion was marked by a salute to the Chinese flag and was followed by ceremonial addresses by the leaders of the two delegations. The proceedings reflected the mutual desire of maintaining and improving relations at a functional level at the border,” sources said.
A cultural programme showcasing Chinese culture and tradition was also organised to mark the occasion. Sources said that both the delegations interacted in a free, congenial and cordial environment.
“The delegation parted amidst a feeling of friendship and commitment towards enhancing the existing cordial relations and maintaining peace along the LAC,” they said.
Further, the sources said that “a ceremonial BPM on the occasion of PLA Day was conducted today at Chinese BPM Hut in Moldo Garrison in Chushul Sector of Eastern Ladakh”.
The delegations were led by Brigadier JKS Virk from the Indian side and Senior Colonel Chen Zheng Shan from the Chinese side, a defence spokesman said.
Indian and Chinese troops were last year locked in an over three-week long stand-off in the Chumar and Demchok areas of eastern Ladakh which was resolved by way of an understanding reached between the two sides to carry out disengagement and redeployment of border troops to restore the “status quo ante”.
The Chinese incursions have come down considerably in Ladakh sector after the NDA Government took over reign of affairs last year in the country. Top leaders of both the countries have exchanged visits and held high level parleys on improving relations.

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