Indian, Chinese army personnel hold goodwill meet in Ladakh

The Indian and Chinese armies on Saturday held a goodwill border meet at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Colonel S.D. Goswami, spokesman of the Indian Army's Udhampur headquartered northern command, told IANS in Jammu: "A ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) on the occasion of Diwali festival was conducted today at the Indian border meeting point hut in Chushul area of eastern Ladakh and at Daulat Beigh Oldi (DBO) in eastern Ladakh.

"The Indian delegations were led by Brigadier R.S. Raman in Chushul and by Colonel B.S. Uppal in DBO.

"The Chinese delegations were led by senior Colonel Cao Guasheng in Chushul and by Colonel Song Zhang Li in DBO.

The spokesperson said the Ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting was marked by saluting the National flag of India by both the delegation members.

"This was followed by the ceremonial address by both delegation leaders which was composed of exchange of greetings and wishes reflecting the mutual desire of maintaining and improving relations at functional level at the border," he said.

"Thereafter, a culture programme showcasing vibrant Indian culture and traditional grandeur and firework display was organised, followed by sumptuous lunch."

Colonel Goswami said both the delegations interacted in a free, congenial and cordial environment. The delegation parted amidst feelings of friendship and commitment towards enhancing the existing cordial relations and maintaining peace along the LAC.

"Both sides also sought to build on the mutual feeling to uphold the treaties and agreements signed between the governments of the two sides to maintain peace and tranquility along the LAC," the spokesperson added.