Article Posted on : - May 03, 2010

Brigadier Y K Joshi (L) shakes hands with Deng Guo Hua, a senior Colonel of the People Liberation Army of China, before a meeting in Ladakh on Saturday

SRINAGAR (PTI): Top officials of the Indian and Chinese armies have held a meeting in the frontier region of Ladakh during which both sides agreed to “contribute to peace, stability and development of the region.”

At the invitation of People Liberation Army, the Indian delegation headed by Brigadier Y K Joshi met their counterparts at Chinese Border Personnel Meeting Hut, opposite Chushul in Ladakh on Saturday.

The meeting was held “in an atmosphere of cooperation and comaraderie, with both sides agreeing to join hands in contributing to peace, stability and development of the region in consonance with border peace and tranquility agreements,” a defence spokesman said here.

He said the meeting to celebrate International Labour Day comes close on the heels of the recent visit of Foreign Minister S M Krishna to Beijing. “The visit of Krishna to Beijing in April has paved the way for better interaction between the two countries.”

The Indian delegation was received by Senior Colonel Deng Guo Hua of People Liberation Army, the spokesman said.

Brigadier Joshi praised “the endeavours of the tireless and enterprising people” of China, whose efforts have propelled the country on a path of high growth and prosperity.

He conveyed condolences over the loss of lives in Qingnai earthquake on April 14 and wished for speedy recovery of the injured.

After the informal meeting, the Indian delegation was treated to a cultural programme by a civilian troupe. Both sides also exchanged gifts.

India and China have signed two landmark agreements namely “peace and tranquility agreement in 1993” and “Confidence Building Measures in 1996.”

To improve relations, border personnel meeting are held six times a year between Indian and Chinese military delegations, the officer said.