The growing warmth between India and China was visible in the sub-zero temperatures of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir Friday when Chinese soldiers joined in India’s Republic Day celebrations.

A delegation of Chinese soldiers and officers joined the celebrations at the Indian border post of Chushul, a spokesman of the Northern Command of the Indian Army said.

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“Both the Indian and Chinese saluted the Indian national tricolour,” the spokesman, Lt. Col. S.K. Gautam, said in a release. This kind of bonhomie is part of the spirit of “building friendship between the two border forces”, he said.

This spirit has received a boost since the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to India in November last year.

The Chinese soldiers’ participation in the Indian Republic Day at Chushul was also part of a mechanism of Border Personnel Meetings and flag meetings between the two sides.

“In a formal meeting held in an atmosphere of mutual trust and camaraderie, greetings were exchanged by both sides,” the spokesman said.

A cultural programme by the troops of Chushul Garrison was held and the military band gave a performance on the occasion.

“Fun-filled games to promote camaraderie and a lunch of Indian cuisine were also organised,” he said.

“The friendly interactions between the two border forces have played a significant role in promoting and strengthening the bands of friendship, mutual trust and confidence between the two armies,” the defence official said.

“Through these interactions, the border representatives of both institutions have been able to understand each other’s culture, traditions and customs,” he said