As part of the ongoing initiative to enhance interaction and cooperation between India and China, under the provisions of Border Defense Cooperation Agreement, 2013, the Indian and Chinese armies today held the second joint exercise called Sino-India Cooperation 2016. This was a sequel to the first exercise held on February 6, 2016.
This move comes amid hectic diplomatic manoeuvring between the two countries over a host of issues like Nuclear Suppliers Group and designation of Masood Azhar as a terrorist by the United Nations.
This is the first military cooperation of New Delhi and Beijing in J&K. The two nations conduct exercises annually at alternate locations in both countries.
This is the same spot where the two countries fought pitched battles in 1962.
The two countries do not have an earmarked boundary and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) — its alignment is disputed by both.
During the daylong 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 operation, evacuation and rendering of medical assistance.
Soldiers of Chushul Garrision from India and of Moldo Garrision from China, participated in the day-long exercise.
The Indian team for the exercise was led by Brigadier RS Raman and that of the Chinese was led by Sr Col Fan Jun. The exercise refined the drills to provide succour 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.
The joint exercise, compliments the ‘Hand-in-Hand’ series of the India-China joint exercises and the effort of both the nations to enhance cooperation and maintain peace and tranquillity along the border areas of India and China.
This year’s edition of ‘Hand in Hand’ is scheduled to be held at Aundh, near Pune in Maharashtra, from November 15 to 27.
