India, China agree to finalise plan of bilateral exchanges between armed forces

New Delhi, Mar. 22 : India and China have agreed to finalise the plan of bilateral exchanges between the armed forces of the two nations during the Defence Secretary-level talks held here on Friday.

It has been decided that exchanges will be conducted between the Armies, Navies and Air Forces on both sides. Both sides also discussed preparations for the 3rd Joint Army exercise, which is scheduled to be conducted in China this year.

It was agreed that the strengthening of exchanges between the Armed Forces should be carried out as a way of building mutual trust and confidence and consistent with the overall bilateral relationship between both countries.

The implementation of measures to ensure continued peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was also discussed.

Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma and the Deputy Chief of General Staff (Dy CGS) of the Chinese PLA Lt. Gen. Qi Jianguo also discussed issues relating to the regional security situation. The Deputy Chief of General Staff (Dy CGS) of the Chinese PLA was accompanied by an eight-member delegation.

Lt Gen Qi also called on Defence Minister A.K. Antony and conveyed that the new leadership in China attaches high priority to consolidate cooperative relations with India in all spheres.

The talk held today was the second meeting between Chinese Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Qi Jianguo and Shashikant Sharma in the last three months. The duo earlier met at the Annual Defence Dialogue in January.