Sixty years after its independence, India will hold its first-ever joint military exercise with China in the wake of improving bilateral relations between the two countries.
It will be the first joint exercise with China after independence
SRINAGAR: Sixty years after its independence, India will hold its first-ever joint military exercise with China in the wake of improving bilateral relations between the two countries.
According to defence minister AK Antony, it will be a milestone in the Sino-Indian relations when the Indian army visits China for the joint military drill.
The minister said India is opening up new vistas and is trying to improve relations with its neighbours and various other countries.
“We have had joint military exercises with the US, Russia and other countries. Now, China has joined the club. This shows our commitment to improve relations with our neighbours,” Antony said.
However, the minister parried questions on whether there is any possibility of a joint exercise with Pakistan in future, saying that New Delhi is trying hard to improve relations with Islamabad.
“The Prime Minister is taking steps to bring about stable peace in the regions between India and Pakistan,” he said.
The minister rued that though ceasefire is on in the border areas, infiltration continues to plague the country. He, however, expressed happiness over the let up in internal tension and the dip in violence level in Jammu and Kashmir. “Though there are occasional skirmishes, it is confined to certain pockets in the Valley,” he said.
On troop reduction, the minister said the Prime Minister has constituted two panels that are looking into the various issues.
“It will not be proper to comment on the issue. We’ll do everything to ensure peace, and redress grievances of Kashmiris, without compromising on the national security,” he added.
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