India-China meet

Setting aside recent acrimony over Chinese incursions in Ladakh, the Indian Minister of Defence, Mr AK Antony met Gen Chang Wanquan during an official visit to China.  The two Defence Ministers held talks in a cordial and friendly atmosphere and had an extensive exchange of views on a wide range of defence and security issues aimed at averting such incidents of encroachment in future. 

In an effort to avoid incidents like Chinese soldiers pitching tents in the Depsang valley in April resulting in tensions between the two countries, the ministers reviewed "the working agreement and protocols dealing with the maintenance of peace and tranquility and directed that it be further strengthened".They reaffirmed that defence exchanges were an important facet of the India-China strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity.

Further during the meet  it was decided that the two sides would focus on interaction at various levels of the forces to promote understanding. The dialogue and consultations would move further when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would visit China later this year. This will create trust and confidence not only at top but also at the ground level. 

Also the two sides finalised military exchanges between the two countries which would be resumed after a gap of five years. About 110 personnel from both countries each would take part in the anti-terrorism exercises being planned in China's Kunming city in October this year.

Border personnel meetings (BPM) will take place with greater frequency and additional locations will be finalised after discussions. The navies of both the countries will increase visits of ships, consider conducting joint maritime search and rescue exercises and cooperate in counter-piracy operations. The Air Forces will carry out high level visits and expand their functional exchanges. They would focus on topics of mutual interest including flight safety, aviation medicine and training. Military training institutions will also strengthen their exchanges at the faculty and student levels. Also to promote greater awareness and understanding among young officers of the armed forces, visits and exchanges will be carried out annually.