Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 27: India and China have expressed commitment to maintain peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh sector as the top Army officers of the two neighbouring countries met for an hour tomorrow at two Border Meeting Points (BMPs) on the occasion of the Republic Day yesterday.
Similarly, India and Pakistan also expressed desire to keep peace on the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) as the Army officers of the two nations apart from BSF and Rangers met at several places to exchange sweets and greetings on the occasion of India’s Republic Day.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the Indian and Chinese Army officials met at two BMPs including Chushul Moldo and Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) in Ladakh sector, where the top officials of the two countries sought to build on the mutual feeling of upholding the treaties and agreement signed between the two Government from time to time to maintain peace and tranquility along the LAC.
Defence spokesperson (Ministry of Defence) Col SD Goswami said both the delegations at Chushul and DBO interacted in free, congenial and cordial environment.
“The delegations parted amidst feeling of friendship and commitment towards enhancing the existing cordial relations and maintaining peace on the LAC,” Col Goswami said.
At Chushul-Moldo, the Indian delegation was led by Brig RS Raman while People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China was represented by Col Cheng Zheng Shan. At DBO-TWD BMP, the Indian delegation was led by Col BS Uppal and Chinese by Lt Col Duanyug Kang. Several other Army officials from both the sides also attended the two meetings.
Indian Army and PLA officials have been inter-acting quite frequently along the LAC in Ladakh sector including days of national importance and festivals of the two countries, which has led to end in the incidents of incursions by the PLA on the Indian side in Ladakh, which had assumed alarming proportions about a couple of years back.
Sources said the proceedings commended with ceremonial flag hoisting of both the countries at the two BMPs followed by the address of Military Commanders on both sides exuding warmth and spirit of friendship. A cultural programme showcasing vibrant Indian culture and traditional grandeur was also organized on the occasion.
Meanwhile, Army officials of India and Pakistan met at two places-Chakkan-Da-Bagh along Poonch-Rawlakote route and Mendhar-Hot Spring crossing points in Krishna Ghati of Poonch district to celebrate the Republic Day.
The Army officers of two sides expressed commitment to peace on the Line of Control (LoC) and exchanged sweets and gifts at both the places. The meetings at both the places lasted more than half an hour in which the Army officers of the two neighbouring countries talked peace and exchanged greetings.
It may be mentioned here that there has been complete peace prevailing along the LoC in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch for the past quite some time now.
The Border Security Forces (BSF) and Rangers also met at Octroi Post in Suchetgarh sector of RS Pura and various other points along the International Border in Jammu sector to exchange greetings on the Republic Day.
Both the sides decided to maintain ongoing peace on the International Border, sources said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel