Indian, Chinese soldiers mark 92nd year of PLA

Defence personnel from India and China gathered at Nathu La, Damai, Bumla and other places along the Line of Actual Control to mark the 92nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), a defence spokesman said on Friday.

"Like previous years special border personnel gathering between India and China, was held at Nathu La (Sikkim), Damai, Bumla (both Arunachal Pradesh) and other places along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to celebrate the 92nd anniversary of PLA foundation day," the defence spokesman told IANS over phone from Guwahati.

A defence release also said that on invitation from the PLA, a delegation of Indian Army comprising of officers and soldiers took part in the celebrations at various locations along the LAC.

"The PLA troops interacted with the visiting Indian delegation and presented a cultural programme comprising of several events to celebrate the occasion," the release said. As a gesture of goodwill, the Indian side also reciprocated with traditional cultural performances to mark the occasion.

The LAC with China traverses the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian Army and the PLA were involved in a 73-day standoff at Doklam in 2017. IANS