President Kovind to visit Ladakh on Monday

In his maiden domestic tour after taking office, President Ram Nath Kovind will visit Ladakh on Monday where he will present the President's Colours to battalions of the Ladakh Scouts, an infantry regiment of the Indian Army.

Sources said President Kovind will be in Ladakh for a day on August 21, and will also go to a meditation centre after the award ceremony.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat will also go to Ladakh on Sunday for a three-day visit.

The visit comes days after a skirmish between Indian and Chinese troops in Pangong Lake area of Ladakh, after China's PLA troops tried to enter the Indian side on Tuesday. Soldiers from both the sides also resorted to stone pelting.

The President's Colours is one of the greatest honours bestowed upon a unit in recognition of exceptional service rendered by it to the nation, both during war and in peace.

Usually, the Army Chief hands over the President's Colours award on behalf of the President.

A flag meeting was held in Chusul in Ladakh on Wednesday that went off well, and both sides made an attempt to re-establish peace leaving the incident behind. The skirmish in Ladakh was one of a kind where troops resorted to stone pelting, and many were hurt.

Meanwhile, a standoff between Indian and Chinese troops is continuing in Doklam in Sikkim sector, close to the tri-junction of India-China-Bhutan, after China attempted to construct a road on territory belonging to Bhutan.

--IANS

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