India, China army officers meet; vows to work for peace

Srinagar, May 2 (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 in the northernmost Indian state of Jammu
and Kashmir 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 Sunday.
He said the meeting to celebrate International Labour Day
comes close on the heels of the recent visit of India's
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 tranquillity 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. PTI