ID :
28298
Tue, 11/04/2008 - 13:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/28298
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IAF chief in China to hold talks with top defence brass
Beijing, Nov 3 (PTI) Seeking to upgrade India-China defence ties, Indian Air Force (I.A.F.) chief Fali Homi Major Monday held talks with China's top military brass on ways to enhance confidence-building measures between the two forces.
Major, who is here on a five-day trip will also visit
some vital military bases of the People's Liberation Army Air
Force (P.L.A.A.F.).
This is the first time in seven years that India's air
chief is visiting China.
On his arrival here, Major was accorded a ceremonial
guard of honour at the P.L.A.A.F. headquarters and later he
met Air Force commander General Xu Qiliang.
The two air chiefs held discussion on bilateral issues,
including means for expanding the military-to-military ties
between the two countries, Indian embassy sources said.
Major will call on Chinese Defence Minister General Liang
Guanglie during his stay here, before he visits Zhuhai air
show, in which I.A.F.'s Suryakiran aerobatic nine-aircraft
formation team will perform for the first time.
During his stay in China, Major will visit the P.L.A.A.F.
air defence bases in Beijing and the 28 Air Division in
Hangzhou in eastern China.
Officials said the visit of the I.A.F. chief will deepen
understanding and strengthen mutual confidence between the
armed forces of the Asian neighbours.
The last visit by an Air Chief took place in May 2001,
when the then I.A.F. chief A.Y. Tipnis came here.
In May 2006, the India and China had signed a memorandum
of understanding (M.o.U.) on exchanges and cooperation in the
field of defence during the visit of then Indian Defence
Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
The M.o.U. laid a solid foundation and institutionalised
the frame work for further development of defence cooperation
between the two countries, officials said.
The first ever annual defence dialogue between India and
China was held in November last year, following which the
armies of the two countries held their first joint training
exercise in Kunming in December. The exercise had focused on
counter-terrorism and anti-insurgency operations.
This year too, the two countries are planning a follow-up
army exercise on Indian soil for which discussions are
currently in progress. PTI NCB
Major, who is here on a five-day trip will also visit
some vital military bases of the People's Liberation Army Air
Force (P.L.A.A.F.).
This is the first time in seven years that India's air
chief is visiting China.
On his arrival here, Major was accorded a ceremonial
guard of honour at the P.L.A.A.F. headquarters and later he
met Air Force commander General Xu Qiliang.
The two air chiefs held discussion on bilateral issues,
including means for expanding the military-to-military ties
between the two countries, Indian embassy sources said.
Major will call on Chinese Defence Minister General Liang
Guanglie during his stay here, before he visits Zhuhai air
show, in which I.A.F.'s Suryakiran aerobatic nine-aircraft
formation team will perform for the first time.
During his stay in China, Major will visit the P.L.A.A.F.
air defence bases in Beijing and the 28 Air Division in
Hangzhou in eastern China.
Officials said the visit of the I.A.F. chief will deepen
understanding and strengthen mutual confidence between the
armed forces of the Asian neighbours.
The last visit by an Air Chief took place in May 2001,
when the then I.A.F. chief A.Y. Tipnis came here.
In May 2006, the India and China had signed a memorandum
of understanding (M.o.U.) on exchanges and cooperation in the
field of defence during the visit of then Indian Defence
Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
The M.o.U. laid a solid foundation and institutionalised
the frame work for further development of defence cooperation
between the two countries, officials said.
The first ever annual defence dialogue between India and
China was held in November last year, following which the
armies of the two countries held their first joint training
exercise in Kunming in December. The exercise had focused on
counter-terrorism and anti-insurgency operations.
This year too, the two countries are planning a follow-up
army exercise on Indian soil for which discussions are
currently in progress. PTI NCB
