Thanking ‘Modi-Xi Jinping’ for improving military bond; India, China stimulate new dawn of defence ties
Beijing, December 27: Reviving bilateral ties over military relations, India and China have with each coming time strengthened diplomacy slating in a new era of connection. With the recent 2nd informal summit between China’s President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chennai, the connection has deepened to blossom new deeds of camaraderie. In this view and the recently held ‘Hand-in-Hand’ joint military exercise, the China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) highlighted that its ties with the Indian military are “improving” with the strategic dialogue, practical cooperation and exchanges. China’s PLA also thanked to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping is bringing out the change.
Addressing a press briefing, Defence Spokesperson Col Wu Qian provided a buoyant picture of the relations between the two militaries which shared hard and at times testing ties guarding the 3,488-km long Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Defence spokesman said that the just concluded joint counter terrorism drills in India “showed the determination” of the two sides to protect the regional stability besides fighting terrorism. He asserted that for the China-India relations, military relationship is the most vital component of the overall relationship. He further thanked the efforts taken by the two heads of the state in improving the military relationship and two countries maintain strategic dialogues and conduct practical cooperation, and also strengthen their exchanges along their borders.
Col Wu said the PLA looks to further develop its ties with the Indian military in 2020. “The year 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and India, and the two militaries have plans to conduct various exchanges and celebration activities,” he said. “We are willing to work together with the Indian side to follow the guidance of our heads of state and promote the military-to-military relationship continue to develop along the right track and make more contributions to the growth of the bilateral relations,” he said.
The two sides concluded the 8th round of their Hand-in-Hand joint exercise on December 21, focussing on counter terrorism joint training. The drills were successfully concluded in Shillong, Meghalaya drawing a “full circle” for the military engagements, Col Wu said. The defence spokesperson said that the joint training was aimed to implement the consensus of the national and military leaders of the two countries and to strengthen the friendship of their troops and to promote regional peace and stability.