Indian and Chinese armies are breaking new grounds of friendship on the sensitive Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the cold desert of Ladakh. For the first time Indian and Chinese armies held a Joint Tactical exercise (JET) on the sensitive LAC in Eastern Ladakh. The exercise is a part of ongoing initiatives being taken by India and China to ensure greater interaction between troops stationed along the LAC in a bid ensure peace and tranquillity on the border.

Though the Sino-Indian military exercises in the territory of two countries have become regular feature, the last exercise codenames ‘Hand in Hand’ being held for 10 days in October, this was for the first time that the two Armies held military exercises for a day in Eastern Ladakh sector, where Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two countries hasn’t been demarcated.

The Indian Army team of 30 personnel was led by Colonel Ritesh Chandra Singh while the Chinese delegation was led by Colonel Qu Yi. India shares a 3,488-km border with China while Jammu and Kashmir shares 646 Km of Line of actual control (LAC) with China. Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in the country which shares its borders with both Pakistan and China.

The aim of the exercise is to develop joint operating capability, share useful experience in counter-terrorism operations and to promote friendly exchanges between the Armies of India and China.