India and China have decided to deepen bilateral defence ties and maintain peace and tranquillity at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The two countries also decided to strengthen cooperation against terror, including at the international level. The decisions came after a meeting between Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and General Fan Changlong, Vice-Chairman of China’s powerful Central Military Commission (CMC). Gen. Fan is heading the highest-level Chinese defence delegation to visit India in recent years.
A Defence Ministry said, both Mr. Parrikar and Gen. Fan condemned the recent terror strike in Paris and agreed to strengthen cooperation to fight the menace of terrorism, including at the international level. Mr. Parrikar also offered to share India’s expertise in fighting terrorism by way of joint exercises, among other initiatives. The statement said, the visit signifies the enhanced defence exchanges between India and China. During the meeting with Defence Minister, the two sides agreed to implement the consensus reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping to ensure peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas.
Gen. Fan and Mr. Parrikar were of the view that peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas is the cornerstone for smooth development of bilateral relations in diverse areas. They felt that the two armed forces shoulder important responsibilities for maintenance of peace and tranquility and agreed to further enhance communications and exchanges between the two armed forces.
The two sides welcomed the operationalisation of additional border personnel meeting points. They reviewed the ongoing exchanges and expressed satisfaction at the recently-held bilateral military exercise, ‘Hand-in-Hand’. Gen. Fan will call on Prime Minister today before leaving India at the conclusion of his visit.