India-China set to resume military drills after one-year hiatus

Published On: December 10, 2018 03:17 PM NPT By: Agencies

KATHMANDU, Dec 10: After a hiatus of one year, India and China are resuming their joint military drills on Tuesday, media reports said.

The two militaries are resuming their military drills to improve capabilities in fighting terrorism and promote mutual understanding, the Press Trust of India reported on Monday citing the Indian government officials. According to PTI, the opening ceremony of the 13-day-long military drill will be held on December 11 in Chengdu, the capital of southwestern China's Sichuan province.

At a press conference last month, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Col Ren Guoqiang told reporters that each side would send 100 troops to take part in the 7th India and China joint military exercises - 'Hand in Hand' - which will focus on counter-terrorism operations. The joint military drill is taking place one year after the two Asian giants ended their 73-day Doklam standoff in the Sikkim sector of the border.

The strained relations between the two sides later improved resulting in an informal summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Chinese city of Wuhan in April, 2018. "The drill will promote understanding between the two militaries and improving their capabilities in fighting terrorism," Col Ren said.

The exercises will include live shooting and adoptive and basic training, he said, adding that true to its name 'Hand in Hand', China and Indian militaries should also work hand in hand for the benefit of people in both the nation.

Top leaders from both the countries met on November 24 at the 21st India-China border talks held at Dujiangyan near Chengdu in southwestern Sichuan province. Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who are the designated Special Representatives, took part in the talks.

They called for intensifying efforts to find a solution to the vexed border dispute, reports said.
Earlier at the 9th Defence dialogue held in China on November 13 between Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and Lt Gen Shao Yuanming, Deputy Chief of Joint Staff Department of Central Military Commission, the two sides discussed bilateral relations, military ties, border control as well as regional and international issues.