NEW DELHI: India will propose finalisation of details of the first-ever joint Army-level exercises with China during the Chief of the Army Staff Gen. J. J. Singh's visit to Beijing and several prominent People's Liberation Army (PLA) establishments.

The two navies have conducted preliminary exercises a couple of times but this is the first time the armies would practise anti-terrorism manoeuvres.

"In principle, the Chinese have agreed to the holding of such an exercise. During the visit, we hope to work out the details and whether the first-ever exercise would be held on Chinese or Indian soil," Gen. Singh told newspersons here on Saturday on the eve of his visit. "Both armies are interested in expanding military-to-military ties," he added.

The move to hold joint exercises, conducted with other militaries of "friendly countries," will add another dimension to efforts to implement confidence-building measures to ensure peace on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The process began in 1996 with the implementation of the agreement on confidence-building measures in the military field along the LAC and was bolstered by another pact in 2005. These led to the withdrawal of tanks, combat vehicles and anti-aircraft missiles from the vicinity of the LAC.

Gen. Singh would be received by Chinese Vice-President Zeng Quinghong. He would call on Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Beijing.

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