India, China begin joint army exercise

PUNE/NEW DELHI: India and China today began their joint "Hand-in-Hand" army exercise focusing on counter- insurgency and counter-terrorism tactics, weeks after a stand-off between their troops along the border in Ladakh region.

"Hand-in-Hand" is an exercise aimed at exploring useful experiences, advancing pragmatic cooperation and promoting a friendly environment between the two armies and is being held in Pune.

The first such annual exercise was held at Kunming in China in December 2007 while the second was held at Belgaum in December 2008.

However, there was a gap of five years till an exercise was held in China's Chengdu area last year in which a group of 160 personnel from Indian Army's 16 Sikh Light Infantry had participated.

The Chinese contingent from the 13 Group Army, Chengdu Military Region comprising one infantry company along with supporting staff, landed at the Lohegaon airfield in Pune in two IL-76 aircraft directly from China yesterday.

The 12-day schedule is focused on training on crossing of obstacles, special heliborne operations, firing of various weapons, handling and neutralisation of improvised explosive devices and conduct of cordon and search operations in insurgency and terrorism environment.

An opening ceremony was held at the parade ground in Aundh Military Camp.

It was attended by Lt General Bobby Mathews, Corps Commander of the Indian Army, and Lt General Shi Xiangyuan, Deputy Commander of Chengdu Military Command of the People's Liberation Army, besides many senior army officials of the both nations.

The parade was commanded by Lt Colonel Tian Jeiwen, Commanding Officer of People's Liberation Army contingent.

Both the senior military officers addressed the contingents before Lt General Shi declared the joint exercise open, an army statement said.