A day after the stern warning to India issued by a hawkish senior officer of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) just hours before visiting Indian defence minister A.K. Antony began his official visit to Beijing, India and China on Friday both agreed that “strategic communication” is required to build trust and understanding between the two countries. The “strategic communication” could be a euphemism for a hotline that could be established between the two countries to ensure there is no flare-up on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). It was also decided by the two countries that communication would be strengthened between the forces of the two sides guarding the border, the ministry of defence (MoD) said. Defence minister A.K. Antony, who is on a four-day official visit to China, on Friday held talks with Chinese defence minister Gen. Chang Wanquan in Beijing and also met Premier Li Keqiang who had visited India recently. The Chinese leaders told Mr Antony that the “new leadership in China attaches great importance to developing friendly and cooperative relations with India”. The third edition of joint military exercises between the two sides seem on track to be held in October this year in China after a gap of five years.
“In the discussions between the two defence ministers, measures to promote mutual trust and confidence building between the Armed Forces were discussed. It was agreed that ‘strategic communication’ is required for building trust and understanding,” the MoD said. It was, however, unclear whether the recent Chinese military transgression into eastern Ladakh and the need to prevent such incidents in future were raised by Mr Antony. India and China both have differing perceptions of the LAC which is the de-facto border separating the two countries.
“Both sides agreed on the need to maintain peace, tranquillity and stability on the LAC. It was acknowledged that the border issue is a remnant of history which both sides are making efforts to resolve and it was agreed that the Special Representatives mechanism should continue to work towards a solution. Both sides also agreed that in the meanwhile, both countries will make joint efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity on the borders and take measures to strengthen communication and coordination at various levels between the border guarding forces,” the MoD added.
“During the meetings, both sides discussed a number of issues relating to bilateral defence relations, exchanges and interactions between the ministries of defence and Armed Forces of both countries and the regional and international security situation. Premier Li and the (Chinese) defence minister conveyed that the new leadership in China attaches great importance to developing friendly and cooperative relations with India. Mr Antony conveyed that India reciprocates the sentiment and looks forward to building the relationship further on a foundation of mutual trust and confidence and based on mutual respect for each other’s concerns,” the MoD further said. “Among the measures for practical cooperation discussed was the conduct of the third joint Army exercise in China in October, 2013. Both sides have also agreed that the Navies and Air Forces of both countries will also undertake enhanced professional exchanges,” the MoD also said. Mr Antony is being accompanied by an Indian defence delegation that includes the defence secretary and senior officers of the armed forces. “On Saturday, Mr Antony is expected to have further meetings in Beijing and will also be visiting the National Defence University and an Air Force unit in Tianjin,” the MoD added.
Meanwhile, in the wake of news agency reports that the 80 year-old eldest sister of Mr Antony, Sister Infant Teresa, passed away in Kochi on Friday due to kidney failure, it remains to be seen whether Mr Antony will cut short his official visit to China and return immediately. Mr Antony is scheduled to return on Sunday to India after his four-day visit. MoD sources, however, said they had no information on whether the minister would return earlier than Sunday.