New Delhi:India and China on Saturday conducted their first joint tactical exercise in eastern Ladakh as part of the ongoing policy to ensure greater interaction between troops stationed along the Line of Actual Control and boost bilateral military CBMs.

"The exercise, held in the Chushul-Moldo area, focused on coordination of operations to jointly undertake disaster relief and humanitarian aid. As previously agreed, the exercise was based on the contingency of a disaster taking place on the border and the subsequent coordination of rescue mission by joint teams," said an officer.

While the Indian Army team of 30 soldiers was led by Colonel Ritesh Chandra Singh, the Chinese delegation was led by Colonel Qu Yi. "The increased interaction amongst Indian and Chinese border troops is a very positive step in enhancing confidence and building relations between the two armies," the officer said.

The exercise comes after a senior Army delegation, led by Northern Command chief Lt General D S Hooda, visited China in December.

The two countries are slowly but steadily enhancing bilateral military exchanges and other CBMs like additional border personnel meeting points, apart from holding their annual joint counter-terror exercise ‘Handin-Hand’, as earlier reported by TOI.

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