India And China Signs Military Agreement To Move Towards A NATO Style Asian Military

[Ryan Ruck]

India And China Signs Military Agreement To Move Towards A NATO Style Asian Military Alliance

India and China Monday [29 May] signed an historic MoU to institutionalize exchanges in military training and exercises with a view to adding more content to their building strategic relations.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed after visiting Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his Chinese counterpart, General Cao Gangchuan held over two hours of talks here at the Central Military Commission headquarters. 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, Cao accorded a red carpet welcome to Mukherjee and welcomed him to China for a six-day official visit. "It is my great pleasure to host the welcoming ceremony for you from India, a friendly neighbouring country," he said after a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour by a triservice Chinese military marching contingent. "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," Cao said in his initial comments. "Your visit this time will deepen our mutual understanding and mutual cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries," he said while describing the Indian defence minister as an "esteemed guest."

Reciprocating the warm sentiments expressed by the Chinese General, Mukherjee said that the visit has given him "an opportunity to visit your great country."

"I have heard a great deal about China's achievements. This visit has allowed me to see for myself the achievements. We greatly admire your achievements," he 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," Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee also described his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minster Li Zhaoxing as "very productive."

[Ryan Ruck]

India, China To Intensify Military Ties

India and China, who fought a bitter war four decades ago, Monday agreed to intensify cooperation in the defence field, envisaging joint exercises by their armed forces and counter-terrorism measures.

Visiting Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his Chinese counterpart Gen. Cao Gangchuan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that 'provides a formal basis for the defence and military exchanges that have been taking place between the two countries in the last few years'.

According to the Indian defence ministry officials, the MoU singles out the following fields:

* Holding of joint military exercises and training programmes in the field of search and rescue, anti-piracy, counter-terrorism and other areas of mutual interest. Each side will invite senior military officers of the other side to witness designated military exercises.

* Frequent exchanges between the leaders and high-level functionaries of the defence ministries and the armed forces of the two countries. Both sides will work out an annual programme of exchanges.

* An annual Defence Dialogue, hosted alternatively by the two sides, to review progress in the defence exchanges, make suggestions for the future and to exchange views on international, security and strategic issues.

* Establish a mechanism of study tours for each other's senior- and middle-level officials in order to facilitate better understanding of the foreign, defence and national development policies of the host side.

* Participation in seminars and discussions on themes to be mutually agreed upon.

* Exchanges in other mutually agreed fields to be decided through consultation.

'The MOU is a major confidence building measure (CBM) in the defence field between India and China and is expected to contribute towards building up greater understanding and trust,' the Indian officials said.

Xinhua adds: Mukherjee told reporters after his talks with Cao that India attached great importance to the strategic and cooperative partnership with China.

The Indian government, he maintained, would work with China on the basis of mutual respect and trust to continue deepening defence and military exchanges.

Cao told reporters that during his talks with Mukherjee, the Chinese government hoped peace, stability and economic growth would continue in the South Asia region.

Cao, who is also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor, said the Chinese government supported efforts of South Asian nations to push for regional cooperation.

Friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation were in the fundamental interests of China and India, and were conducive to the peace, stability and development of Asia and the world, Cao said.

Mukherjee arrived here Sunday for a six-day visit as a guest of Cao. This is his first trip to China since assuming office in May, 2004. He will also hold talks with other Chinese leaders and senior military officers.

Mukherjee will visit northwest China's Gansu province and Shanghai municipality, the country's economic hub in east China.