Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 16: India and China have committed themselves to upholding protocols and agreements signed between the two countries to maintain peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, where transgressions by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are reported frequently due to an undemarcated boundary.
The commitment by both the sides came during a meeting between top officers of Indian Army and PLA in Eastern Ladakh on the occasion of India’s Independence Day yesterday.
Significantly, the meeting between Army officers of India and China lasted four hours in which the two sides held free and frank discussions and celebrated Indian’s Independence Day by saluting the national flag and holding cultural, entertainment and sports events.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the Indian Army delegation was joined by ITBP officers and jawans while the PLA delegation also comprised a large number of Army officers and officials, which hoisted national tricolor at BPM Hut, the last Indian border post in Eastern Ladakh, followed by a meeting between the officers of the two sides.
“In the meeting of top Army officers, both sides (India and China) reiterated their commitment to uphold protocols and agreements signed between the two countries and acknowledged that the peace and tranquility, which prevailed along the Line of Actual Control should be further strengthened and stabilized,’’ sources said.
The commitment assumed significance as frequent transgressions have been reported by the PLA in the recent past not only in Ladakh sector but also in North East. The PLA generally maintained that transgressions were the result of undemarcated boundary between India and China along the LAC.
It may be mentioned here that a similar meeting followed by ceremony was held on Chinese side on August 1 on the occasion of People’s Liberation Army Day.
“The yesterday’s event on the Indian side was also attended by ladies from both sides, which symbolized peace, confidence and desire of establishing tranquility along the borders,’’ sources said adding the ceremonial border personnel meeting lasted more than four hours after which both sides left for their respective venues.
Meanwhile, India and Pakistan Army officials also exchanged sweets and fruits at Chakan-Da-Bagh and Hot Spring Crossing Points in Poonch district yesterday to mark the festive occasion of India’s Independence Day.
However, the BSF and Rangers didn’t exchange sweets on the International Border on the Independence Day yesterday in view of persisting tensions on the IB after recent heavy shelling and firing by the Pakistani Rangers in Arnia sector in which BSF jawans and civilians were injured and there was massive loss of civilian property on the Indian side.
Sources said Indian side at Chakan-Da-Bagh was represented by Col Himmat Singh of Krishna Ghati Brigade while Lt Col Hillal-ul-Haq represented Pakistan. The exchange of sweets and fruits took place at 10.15 am yesterday with the function lasting about half an hour.
At Hot Spring Crossing Point in Mendhar in Poonch district, the Army officials of the two sides exchanged sweets.
“The exchange of sweets on the occasion of first on Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14 and then India’s Independence Day on August 15 is an appreciated gesture from both the countries and is expected to go a long way in promoting harmony and bonhomie along the Line of Control (LoC),’’ sources said.
Significantly, no ceasefire violation from Pakistan side was reported from any place on the LoC or IB yesterday, they added.
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