By IRNA,
Srinagar, India : Chinese troops played host to an Indian Army delegation on their side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that divides Kashmir between India and China in the Ladakh region to mark the International Labour Day Saturday.
The Indian military delegation led by Brigadier Y K Joshi was received by senior Colonel Deng Guo Hua of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) at Hut across Chushul village of Ladakh and presented with guard of honour.
The meeting attains significance as it comes after recent spat between China and India over disputed territory in Ladakh with New Delhi claiming that China violated Indian airspace and intruded into the region sparking strong denials from the Chinese side.
India and China fought a bloody war in 1962. One of the main causes of the Sino-Indian War was India’s discovery of a road that the Chinese had built through Aksai Chin, the eastern-most part of the Kashmir, now under Chinese control.
”The formal meeting was held in atmosphere of cooperation and camaraderie, greetings were exchanged by both sides. Also both sides agreed to join hands in contributing to peace, stability and development of the region in consonance with Border Peace and Tranquility agreements”, a Defence Ministry spokesman told IRNA in Srinagar.
”Brig Joshi in his opening address paid tributes to the endeavours of the tireless and enterprising people of Peoples of Republic of China, whose efforts have propelled the country on a path of high growth and prosperity”, a statement issued after the meeting said.
After the formal meeting, the Indian delegation was treated to the cultural programme by a civilian troupe and a round of fun filled games followed by a rich spread of Chinese cuisine.