Following successful conduct of the Hand-in-Hand joint exercise of Armies of India and China at Chengdu in China, soldiers of both the countries on Tuesday celebrated the New Year at two border points in Eastern Ladakh of Jammu and Kashmir.
A spokesman of the Army said that at the invitation of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), a Ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) to celebrate the New Year was conducted at Chinese BPM hut at Chushul – Moldo and Daulat Beig Oldie – TWD Meeting Points in Eastern Ladakh.
The Indian Delegations were led by Major General Sanjiv Rai and Colonel SS Lamba and the Chinese Delegation by Senior Colonel Liu Hou Jie and Colonel Song Zhang Li respectively.
The Ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting commenced with saluting the National flags by the delegation members. 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 a functional level at the border. Thereafter, a cultural programme showcasing Chinese culture and traditions was organized.
The Ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting was held in the backdrop of the successful conduct of Exercise Hand-in-Hand at Chengdu in China wherein troops of both the countries interacted, participated in joint exercises, and shared on-ground experiences.
Both the delegations interacted in a free, congenial, and cordial environment. The delegations parted amidst feelings 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 tranquility along the border, the spokesman added.