India, China armies begin 10-day anti-terror exercise

BEIJING: Ending a five-year hiatus, India and China today began a joint anti-terrorism military exercise in southwestern Sichuan province less than a fortnight after the two countries inked a comprehensive pact to avert recurring border stand-offs.

Both sides have deployed about 150 soldiers each in the 10-day exercise, code-named "Hand-in-Hand 2013", aimed at enhancing counter terrorism skills which began at Miaoergang, south of the Chinese city of Chengdu.

Personnel from the Indian Army's 16 Sikh Light Infantry and similar strength of PLA's 1st Battalion Infantry Division of 13 Group are taking part in the drills, the third such exercise between the two armies since 2007.

During the opening ceremony, the Chinese side gave an "enthralling display" of Chinese martial art kungfu followed by "breathtaking" Punjabi Gatka martial art by the Indian. The two sides also displayed their weapons which generated keen interest to familiarise and understand the characteristics of each other, an Indian defence press release said.

Declaring open the exercise along with Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia leader of Indian Army observer group, the head of the Chinese team Lt Gen Yung Jinshan of the PLA said terrorism is a global challenge and China and India faced similar threats in an apparent reference to the suicide attack at the historic Tiananmen Square on October 28 in which five people were killed and 40 others injured.

This exercise is designed to consolidate and exchange tactical skills as well as enhance mutual understanding and trust, Yung said.

In his address, Lt Gen Bhatia said the exercise is a perfect beginning for renewed bilateral cooperation and friendship.

"We intend learning best practices of each other which would be mutually beneficial for both the armies," he said.

During the exercise, Indian and Chinese soldiers will conduct drills in tactical hand signals, arrest and escort, hostage rescue and joint attack, as well as comprehensive anti-terror combat manoeuvres, official media reported.

A Chinese military observer and deputy commander of the Chengdu Military Area Command told state-run Xinhua news agency that the exercise is intended to exchange anti-terror experiences, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and boost cooperation between the two armies.