New Delhi: India and China on Friday agreed to enhance defence exchanges and communications for better understanding and mutual trust during the fourth round of Annual Defence Dialogue (ADD) held here after a tumultuous two years for military ties.
Both sides agreed to strictly adhere to the provisions of
2005 Protocol for implementation of Confidence Building
Measures (CBMs) on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to
maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas.
"India made some suggestions to China in this regard which
the Chinese side agreed to consider," Ministry officials said.
Agreeing to enhance the range and scope of exchanges at
various levels, China would be sending a military delegation
to New Delhi by the end of this month, which will be
reciprocated by India in January 2012, a Defence Ministry
spokesperson said here.
During the three-hour-long talks, the six-member Chinese
delegation led by their Deputy Chief of General Staff General
Ma Xiaotian and Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma discussed
a wide range of issues concerning both the nations.
After the talks, the Chinese delegation met Defence
Minister AK Antony who expressed satisfaction over the
positive and constructive discussions between both the sides,
and said,
"Both sides should work towards increasing mutual trust
and confidence as this was for benefit of both the countries,"
he said.
Extending an invitation to Chinese Defence Minister to
visit India at a mutually convenient time, Antony hoped that
the high level exchanges between the defence establishment of
both sides would further nurture the process of dialogue.
The talks were held in a free and frank atmosphere with
both the sides admitting difficulties on their part. They
agreed that enhancement of defence exchanges between their
armed forces would contribute to better understanding, mutual
trust and confidence building, the spokesperson said.
PTI
