The New INDIAN EXPRESS
By Fayaz Wani
AUGUST 15, 2015
SRINAGAR: India and China on Saturday operationalised new Border Personal Meeting (BPM) point on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) near Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) in cold desert of Ladakh.
Defence spokesperson of army’s Northern Command, Colonel S D Goswami, said country’s 69th Independence Day today marked a momentous occasion in India-China relations as a new BPM Point was operationalised on the LAC near Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) in Ladakh in line with the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement signed between the two countries in October 2013.
He said it would go a long way in ensuring peace and stability along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.
“This will be the Northern-most meeting point between armies of both countries on the LAC near DBO,” he said.
The point is strategically important as it is the second meeting point, after Chusul, in Eastern Ladakh.
Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a three week long stand-off in DBO in May 2013. The stand-off ended after diplomacy between the two countries. The two countries were again involved in standoff in Chumar and Demchok areas of eastern Ladakh last year.
Goswami said on the occasion of 69th Independence Day, Army hosted the Chinese PLA to a special Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) at Chushul in Eastern Ladakh.
Addressing both delegations during the function, the Indian side extolled the virtues of maintaining peace and stability on the Line of Actual Control. The Chinese delegation was led by Senior Colonel Liu Geping.
“The celebration showcased the Indian culture and traditions wherein apart from traditional dances and songs, an old form of martial art called ‘Gatka’ was performed by the troops and the ‘Dare Devils’ of the Indian Army Signal Regiment performed acrobatics on their motorcycle,” he said.
He further said a Volley ball match was also organised fielding mixed team of both Indian and Chinese troops. “The Chinese delegation participated in all the events with equal zeal and enthusiasm.”
Earlier, on August 1, Indian army and Chinese army officials held first-ever meet at DBO in Ladakh.
