PLA joins Indian Army to celebrate Independence Day in Sikkim

A special border personnel meeting between the Indian Army and China’s People Liberation Army (PLA) was held on the Indian side at the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim on Wednesday to jointly celebrate India’s 72^nd Independence Day.

Besides interactions between the two armies, cultural programme portraying the rich cultural diversity of the two countries were presented by both sides to celebrate the occasion, a Defence press release here said.

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The celebration took place in an atmosphere of warmth and friendship, with an aim to enhance mutual trust and promoting border peace and tranquillity, it said.

Pleasantries were also exchanged in North Sikkim at Kongra La.

The joint participation of PLA is seen as a reciprocal gesture as the Indian Army had earlier participated in PLA Foundation Day on August 1, 2018.

Such interactions between the two armies have resulted in enhancement of goodwill and mutual understanding between the two nations, it said.

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Indian Army troops deployed in remote and high-altitude areas of north Sikkim also celebrated Independence Day by hoisting the national flag at different forward posts with great zeal and enthusiasm, the release said.