India and China to gang Up Militarily ?
India and China to intensify military ties
Beijing, May 29 (IANS) India and China, who fought a bitter war four decades ago, Monday agreed to intensify cooperation in the defence field, envisaging joint exercises by their armed forces and counter-terrorism measures.
Visiting Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his Chinese counterpart Gen. Cao Gangchuan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that 'provides a formal basis for the defence and military exchanges that have been taking place between the two countries in the last few years'.
According to the Indian defence ministry officials, the MoU singles out the following fields:
* Holding of joint military exercises and training programmes in the field of search and rescue, anti-piracy, counter-terrorism and other areas of mutual interest. Each side will invite senior military officers of the other side to witness designated military exercises.
* Frequent exchanges between the leaders and high-level functionaries of the defence ministries and the armed forces of the two countries. Both sides will work out an annual programme of exchanges.
* An annual Defence Dialogue, hosted alternatively by the two sides, to review progress in the defence exchanges, make suggestions for the future and to exchange views on international, security and strategic issues.
* Establish a mechanism of study tours for each other's senior- and middle-level officials in order to facilitate better understanding of the foreign, defence and national development policies of the host side.
* Participation in seminars and discussions on themes to be mutually agreed upon.
* Exchanges in other mutually agreed fields to be decided through consultation.
'The MOU is a major confidence building measure (CBM) in the defence field between India and China and is expected to contribute towards building up greater understanding and trust,' the Indian officials said.
Xinhua adds: Mukherjee told reporters after his talks with Cao that India attached great importance to the strategic and cooperative partnership with China.
The Indian government, he maintained, would work with China on the basis of mutual respect and trust to continue deepening defence and military exchanges.
Cao told reporters that during his talks with Mukherjee, the Chinese government hoped peace, stability and economic growth would continue in the South Asia region.
Cao, who is also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councillor, said the Chinese government supported efforts of South Asian nations to push for regional cooperation.
Friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation were in the fundamental interests of China and India, and were conducive to the peace, stability and development of Asia and the world, Cao said.
Mukherjee arrived here Sunday for a six-day visit as a guest of Cao. This is his first trip to China since assuming office in May, 2004. He will also hold talks with other Chinese leaders and senior military officers.
Mukherjee will visit northwest China's Gansu province and Shanghai municipality, the country's economic hub in east China.
Beijing, May 29 (IANS) India and China, who fought a bitter war four decades ago, Monday agreed to intensify cooperation in the defence field, envisaging joint exercises by their armed forces and counter-terrorism measures.
Visiting Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his Chinese counterpart Gen. Cao Gangchuan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that 'provides a formal basis for the defence and military exchanges that have been taking place between the two countries in the last few years'.
According to the Indian defence ministry officials, the MoU singles out the following fields:
* Holding of joint military exercises and training programmes in the field of search and rescue, anti-piracy, counter-terrorism and other areas of mutual interest. Each side will invite senior military officers of the other side to witness designated military exercises.
* Frequent exchanges between the leaders and high-level functionaries of the defence ministries and the armed forces of the two countries. Both sides will work out an annual programme of exchanges.
* An annual Defence Dialogue, hosted alternatively by the two sides, to review progress in the defence exchanges, make suggestions for the future and to exchange views on international, security and strategic issues.
* Establish a mechanism of study tours for each other's senior- and middle-level officials in order to facilitate better understanding of the foreign, defence and national development policies of the host side.
* Participation in seminars and discussions on themes to be mutually agreed upon.
* Exchanges in other mutually agreed fields to be decided through consultation.
'The MOU is a major confidence building measure (CBM) in the defence field between India and China and is expected to contribute towards building up greater understanding and trust,' the Indian officials said.
Xinhua adds: Mukherjee told reporters after his talks with Cao that India attached great importance to the strategic and cooperative partnership with China.
The Indian government, he maintained, would work with China on the basis of mutual respect and trust to continue deepening defence and military exchanges.
Cao told reporters that during his talks with Mukherjee, the Chinese government hoped peace, stability and economic growth would continue in the South Asia region.
Cao, who is also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councillor, said the Chinese government supported efforts of South Asian nations to push for regional cooperation.
Friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation were in the fundamental interests of China and India, and were conducive to the peace, stability and development of Asia and the world, Cao said.
Mukherjee arrived here Sunday for a six-day visit as a guest of Cao. This is his first trip to China since assuming office in May, 2004. He will also hold talks with other Chinese leaders and senior military officers.
Mukherjee will visit northwest China's Gansu province and Shanghai municipality, the country's economic hub in east China.
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