JAMMU: A ceremonial border personnel meeting (BPM) was held on Fridaybetween the Indian and Chinese armies in Ladakh region to mark India’s 69thRepublic Day, with both sides stating they will work to uphold theagreements signed between the two countries.
An official statement said the ceremonial border personnel meeting atDaulat Beigh Oldi (DBO) and Chushul in the Ladakh region was marked bysaluting the national flag of India by the members of delegations from bothsides.
“This was followed by a ceremonial address by the delegation leaders.Delegations at both places interacted in a free, congenial and cordialenvironment.
“The delegations parted amidst feeling of friendship and commitment towardsenhancing the existing cordial relations and maintaining peace along theLine of Actual Control (LAC),” the statement said.
The ceremonial BPMs are held on the national days of both sides.
The two sides also sought to build on the mutual feeling to uphold thetreaties and agreements signed between the governments of the two sides tomaintain peace and tranquility along the LAC, it added.
BPMs are held between India and China at five points — Daulat Beg Oldie innorthern Ladakh, Kibithoo in Arunachal Pradesh, Chusul in Ladakh, Bum-Lanear Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh and Nathu-La in Sikkim.
On India’s Independence Day last year, the meeting was not held after Chinadid not respond to a communication from the Indian side over holding themeeting.
India and China were involved in a two-and-a-half month- long stand-offalong the borders last year. – PTI