After Modi, Xi meet, Indian & Chinese armies conduct exercise in Ladakh

NEW DELHI: Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met during the BRICS summit last weekend, the Indian and Chinese armies held their second joint exercise, “Sino India Cooperation 2016” in Eastern Ladakh today.

The exercise is part of the ongoing initiative to enhance interaction and cooperation between the two nations under the provision of Border Defence Cooperation Agreement, 2013.

The second joint exercise with Pakistan's close ally is a sequel to the first joint exercise held on February 6 this year.

The Indian Army said the exercise was held in the area of the Border Personnel Meeting Hut at Chushul Garrison of Eastern Ladakh with the Chinese troops of Moldo Garrison.

“During the day long exercise on Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) a fictitious situation of earthquake striking an Indian Border village was painted. Thereafter joint teams carried out rescue operations, evacuation and rendering of medical assistance,” reads an army statement.

The Indian Team for the exercise was led by Brigadier RS Raman and that of the Chinese was led by Senior Col Fan Jun.

“The exercise was a great success and has not only refined the drills to provide succor to the border population in case of natural calamity but has also increased the level of trust and cooperation between the two border guarding forces along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh,” said Col Rohan Anand, PRO (Army).

The joint exercise compliments the Hand in Hand series of the India-China joint exercises.