Udhampur, February 7: The first joint tactical exercise between border troops of India and China was conducted on Sunday in the Chushul-Moldo area.This is a part of the ongoing initiatives being taken by both the countries to ensure greater interaction between troops stationed along the Line of Actual Control, and thereby ensure peace and tranquillity on the border. Also Read - Brucellosis Outbreak in China Affects Over 3000 People: Know All About This Highly Contagious Disease

As previously agreed by both the countries, the exercise focused on actions to be coordinated to jointly tackle aspects of humanitarian aid and disaster relief. The Indian Army team of thirty personnel was led by Colonel Ritesh Chandra Singh while the Chinese delegation of an equal compliment was led by Colonel Qu Yi. Also Read - Schools Reopening From Monday | What Back to Classes Might Look Like Amid Pandemic

Lasting an entire day, the joint exercise was based on a situation of a national disaster occurring on the border and the subsequent coordination of rescue mission by joint teams of India and China. (ALSO READ : India, China military drill promotes ties: Chinese daily). Also Read - COVID-19: With Spike of Over 96,000 Cases, India's Tally Crosses 52-Lakh Mark, Deaths Near 85K

The joint exercise, codenamed “Sino-India Cooperation 2016”, compliments the Hand-in-Hand series of India- China Joint Exercises and the recently conducted border troops Joint Exercise in Sikkim.

The increased interaction amongst Indian and Chinese border troops is a very positive step in enhancing confidence and building relations between the two armies.