The Hindu : India, China likely to move forward on military ties

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2004

International

International - India & World

India, China likely to move forward on military ties

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, MARCH 22. The Defence Ministers of India and China are likely to take steps for a greater understanding on the bilateral military front. This was indicated by the Defence Secretary, Ajay Prasad, here on Monday. The Chinese Defence Minister, Cao Gangchuan, today left Beijing on a three-nation tour, during which he would arrive in India from Pakistan on March 26. Before his departure, General Cao underlined the political resolve of both Beijing and New Delhi to boost their military-related cooperation to a new high.

Responding to questions from The Hindu on the scope of the prospective talks between Gen. Cao and the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, Mr. Prasad, now here on an official visit, said: "Anything that promotes peace and harmony between the two countries is certainly welcome. I am sure the Defence Ministers would discuss measures to further enhance this kind of

a spirit of understanding''.

Asked specifically whether additional confidence-building measures (CBMs) for the sustained maintenance of peace and tranquillity on the disputed Sino-Indian border would be discussed, Mr. Prasad said "Probably. We are yet to determine the structure, the agenda for this (meeting between the two Defence Ministers''. There was an openness to discuss new ideas. It was "premature, at this stage'', though, to identify the "areas of interest that would be decided on'' in regard to cooperation between the military wings of the two countries.

As for the border dispute itself, the two Ministers might "note the way this discussion [between the Special Representatives of the two countries] is continuing''.

About the scope for evolving more CBMs for ensuring peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during the present boost-phase in bilateral interactions, Mr. Prasad said: "There have been no incidents of firing or violent activity on the border for a long time, and we would like to see that such conditions continue''.

"Our perceptions differ on where the line [of actual control] is'', he said, answering a question about the lingering impact, if any, of an `incident' that occurred during the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee's visit to China last June. Noting that the "incident" of that period was

"one of those issues which need to be discussed and sorted out'', Mr. Prasad emphasised that "such incidents of alleged transgression of the LAC have not led to any violence across the disputed frontier or conflict situation''.

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India, China likely to move forward on military ties