This Article is From Sep 02, 2012

India, China likely to resume military exercises next year

India, China likely to resume military exercises next year
New Delhi: India and China are expected to resume their bilateral military exercises next year. A decision in this regard is likely to be taken during the five-day visit of Chinese Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie, starting tomorrow.

During General Liang's visit, the two sides will discuss about having more Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and ways of strengthening their military ties, a senior official of the Defence Ministry said.

"We are planning to resume the army-to-army exercise 'Hand-in-Hand' from next year and a final decision in this regard would be taken at the meeting between General Liang Guanglie and his Indian counterpart AK Antony," the official said.

Military exercises between the two countries had started in 2007, but were put on hold after a series of hiccups in the defence ties between the two sides.

The first exercise was held in Kunming, China in 2007 while the second was held in India at Belgaum in 2008. After the denial of visa to the then Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General BS Jaswal by the Chinese in 2010, India froze all bilateral defence exchanges with China.

Though the defence exchanges have re-started, there are still some problems like China declining to issue visa to an IAF officer belonging to Arunachal Pradesh.

A Defence Minister-level visit to China from India had last taken place in May, 2006. General Liang's visit will be the first by a Chinese Defence Minister to India since General Cao Gangchuan's visited here in March, 2004.
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