China on Monday said it will continue to strengthen Defence cooperation with India as the two nations’ armies kicked off the fifth round of annual anti-terror military drills in the Chinese city of Kunming aimed at enhancing mutual understanding, communication and cooperation.
“The drills will play a significant role in safeguarding domestic security and strengthening mutual trust between militaries of both sides and contribute to the sound development of bilateral relations,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Hua Chunying told a media briefing here.
“We will continue strengthen our cooperation on national Defence and inject more positive energy to our bilateral ties,” she said. India fielded a contingent of 175 troops from 2nd Battalion of Naga Regiment from Eastern Command which also looks after the border with China while China deployed troops from 14 Corps
of China’s Chengdu Military Region, whose focus is on Indian borders.
Both sides pressed same number of troops for the joint exercises, which will culminate on October 22, a press release by the Indian Embassy said. The purpose of the exercise is to develop joint operating capability, share useful experience in counter-terrorism operations and to promote friendly exchanges between the armies of India and China, the embassy said.