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Lok Sabha
Both China and India have taken initiatives to improve defence relations between the two countries. Steps have been taken to promote confidence building measures between the Indian Armed Forces and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and in general. Such steps include more frequent reciprocal high level visits, an annual programme of exchange of professional and training delegations increased points and frequency of border meetings, participation in each other’s national days, festive occasions and sporting events, between units at the LAC and participation as observers in each other’s military exercises, amongst others. Recent high level visits have included the visits of Chief of Army Staff and Vice Chief of Naval Staff from India and Chief of General Staff of the PLA to India. A new ‘Protocol’ on Modalities of Implementation of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) in the military field building upon an earlier agreement on Confidence Building Measures signed in 1996, was signed during the visit of the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao to India in April 2005.
Talks were held with the Chinese Chief of General Staff, Gen. Liang Guanglie during his visit to India in May 2005. The visit provided an opportunity to exchange views, increase familiarity with the Chinese PLA leadership and step up activities to promote confidence – building and relations between the Armed Forces. This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri Mahesh Kanodia and others in Lok Sabha today.
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