New border meeting point at Daulat Beg Oldie in Ladakh sector

JAMMU: A new Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) point was today operationalised at Daulat Beg Oldie along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh sector, which would serve as the northern-most meeting point between armies of India and China.

The point was operationalised in line with the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement signed between the two countries in October 2013, Defence Spokesman for Northern Command Col S D Goswami said.

"This will be the northern-most meeting point between armies of both countries on the LAC near DBO," the spokesman said, adding, it would go a long way in ensuring peace and stability along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.

The point is strategically important as it is the second meeting point, after Chusul, in Eastern Ladakh.

To celebrate India's 69th Independence day, the Indian Army also hosted the Chinese PLA at special border personnel meetings at Chushul and Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO).

Addressing both delegations during the function, the Indian side extolled the virtues of maintaining peace and stability along the LAC.

The Chinese delegation was led by Senior Colonel Liu Geping.

In the inaugural Border Personnel Meeting at DBO, a PLA delegations took part in the celebrations hosted by the Indian side, he said.

The celebrations showcased Indian culture and traditions wherein apart from dances and songs, an old form of martial arts called 'Gatka' was performed by the troops, while the 'daredevils' of the Indian Army Signal Regiment performed acrobatics on their motorcycle, Col Goswami said.

A volleyball 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, he said.