Pranab to visit China and Japan

New Delhi, May 22 (UNI) Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee will seek greater cooperation between Indian and Chinese Armed Forces during a four-day visit to Beijing next week.

Minister Mukherjee is scheduled to visit China from May 28 as part of a weeklong three-nation tour, beginning Wednesday, that includes Japan and Singapore.

Ahead of the visit, the Defence Minister said his visit to China was aimed at building mutual confidence.

''My efforts will be to have a much larger participation in joint military exercises, more exchange of visits by Armed Forces personnel and an expanded mutual training programme,'' Mr Mukherjee told mediapersons.

The Navies of the two countries have held joint manoeuvres in the past -- but there have been no joint exercises by the Armies or Air Forces of the two countries.

India and China, who share a largely unmarked 3,550-kilometre border, fought a bitter war in 1962. Both claim the other has occupied part of its territory and are currently involved in a dialogue to solve their boundary disputes.

''We have developed relationship with China politically, economically and commercially,'' Minister Mukherjee said. ''These all-round developments, I think, should be reflected in defence cooperation....'' The Defence Minister will be accompanied by senior officials of the Ministries of Defence and External Affairs, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the three Services.

During the first leg of his visit -- to Japan from May 25 to 28, besides holding discussions with his counterpart the Director General (Minister) of the Japanese Defence Agency, Mr Mukherjee is expected to meet the Japanese Minister for Land, Infrastructure&Transport, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Minister).

Some of the issues likely to figure prominently during discussions with the Japanese dignitaries include the need for close defence cooperation between the two countries for promotion of peace and stability in Asia and at the global level, countering terrorism and extremism, stability of regional maritime traffic and promotion of cooperation in the areas of disaster management.

The delegation is also expected to visit some leading Japanese defence industries. It is hoped that Japanese defence industries will play a niche role in India's defence modernisation programme.

In the second leg of his tour, the Defence Minister will arrive in Beijing on May 28.

During his five day stay in China, Mr Mukherjee is slated to call on the highest level of the Chinese Government and Military leadership besides meeting the Chinese Minister of National Defence General Cao Gangchuan, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and other high ranking provincial officials.

During his interaction with the Chinese dignitaries, Mr Mukherjee will be laying emphasis on India's commitment to the development of a strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity between India and China on the basis of 'Panchsheel', said an official spokesman here.

The discussions are expected to cover India's desire to broaden and deepen defence and military exchanges with China to enhance mutual trust and understanding between the two Armed Forces ensuring a peaceful environment in which they can pursue their national development objectives and maintaining peace and tranquillity in the region and the world at large.

India and China are expected to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding to institutionalise training and exercise exchanges and other contacts between the Armed Forces and defence officials and experts of the two countries. This is expected to serve as an instrument for a regular and sustained dialogue on defence and national defence issues between the two countries.

Minister Mukherjee will also visit some of the military institutions and installations in Beijing, Lanzhou and Shanghai.

UNI DG RL BD1840