Indian, Chinese armies celebrate New Year together in Ladakh

Indian and Chinese armies held a ceremonial new year meeting on Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh region. Defence Ministry spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said here: "At the invitation of the Chinese Army, a ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) to celebrate the New Year was held at Chushul-Moldo and Daulat Beg Oldi in Eastern Ladakh." The Indian delegation was led by Major General Sanjiv Rai and Colonel S.S. Lamba and the Chinese team by Senior Colonel Liu Hou Jie and Colonel Song Zhang Li respectively. The ceremonial saluting of the national flags was followed by an exchange of greetings and vote of thanks.

"Both the delegations interacted in a free, congenial and cordial environment. The delegations parted amidst feeling of friendship and commitment towards enhancing the existing cordial relations and maintaining peace along the border," an official added. "Both sides also sought to build on the mutual feeling to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border."

(With inputs from agencies.)