India, China to deepen military exchanges

New Delhi, May 29 (UNI) India and China today signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to institutionalise exchange of military training and exercises to add more content to their emerging strategic relations.

The MoU was signed after Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee -- on a six-day official visit to China -- and his Chinese counterpart General Cao Gangchuan held over two hours of talks in Beijing at the Central Military Commission headquarters.

According to reports received here, the MoU envisages other contacts between the Armed Forces and defence officials and experts of the two countries.

The MoU is also expected to serve as an instrument for a regular and sustained dialogue on defence and national defence issues between the two countries.

Earlier, the Indian Defence Minister was accorded a red carpet welcome comprising a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour by a triservice Chinese military marching contingent.

Chinese Defence Minister Cao, in his welcoming remarks, said it was ''my great pleasure to host the welcoming ceremony for you from India, a friendly neighbouring country.'' ''Your visit is a big event in the exchanges and cooperation between the militaries and also an important event in the China- India Friendship Year this year,'' Minister Cao said.

''I am bringing greetings from the Indian Armed Forces to the Chinese People's Liberation Army... I am also conveying the greetings from the people of India to the people of this great nation,'' Minister Mukherjee replied.

Later, Mr Mukherjee also described his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing as ''very productive''.

At the meeting, Foreign Minister Li pledged to step up strategic and cooperative relations with India during 2006 -- declared a year of friendship between India and China.

The Indian Defence Minister kicked off his visit to China with a briefing session at the Academy of Military Science of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Beijing where he arrived yesterday for a six-day official visit. He also exchanged views with Chinese military experts on issues of common interest.

Minister Mukherjee's China visit is taking place at a time when Beijing has announced a major arms sales package, including four F22P frigates, to its closest ally Pakistan.

Anyhow, bilateral discussions were 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 and to maintain peace and tranquility in the region and the world at large.

The vexed India-China boundary issue was also likely to figure during the talks. The Special Representatives of India and China on the border issue have met seven times and ''positive progress'' has been made, according to sources here.

In the defence field so far, Indian and Chinese navies have exchanged friendly port calls and conducted search-and-rescue exercises.

And while their Air Forces have not had any major interaction, their Armies have had regular exchanges, including joint sporting and mountaineering activities, to boost mutual trust and understanding.

Minister Mukherjee was scheduled to visit some of the Chinese People's Liberation Army's key military institutions and installations in Beijing, and Lanzhou in central China.

The Defence Minister will also visit northwest China's Gansu Province and Shanghai Municipality, the country's economic hub in east China.

UNI DG PK VC1950