China, India conclude joint anti-terror military training

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-12 21:45

BELGAUM -- The entire China-India anti-terror drill completed at 10 a.m. of local time, one hour earlier than scheduled as the two countries' troops finished Wednesday's exercise of searching for "terrorists" in villages.

Lieutenant General Ma Xiaotian, head of the Chinese military observer delegation, said the drill was "successful and effective".

It's the third and also the last stage of the joint anti-terror military training between the two sides from December 6 to 12.

The seven-day joint anti-terror military training included display of weapons and equipment, communication of tactics, joint training and the comprehensive drill.

The joint training was carried out according to the Memorandum of Understanding for Exchanges and Cooperation in the Field of Defense signed in 2006 and is listed in the annual exchange plans for 2008 after discussion of the two sides, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Huang Xueping.

The joint training was intended to enhance mutual understanding and trust and advance the development of relations between the Chinese and Indian armies, he said.

"The time of the training was set previously and the joint training has no specified background and is not aimed at any third parties," he said.

Ma, also deputy chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army of China, declared conclusion of the joint training at the closing ceremony.

Ma said that the joint training marked the continuous progress the Chinese and Indian armies have made in communication and cooperation.

"It showcased the resolution of the two sides to safeguard regional peace and stability and create a harmonious environment for development together," Ma said.

The Indian military attache in China G. Jaishankar said that the joint training "marked a new step in the bilateral military cooperation".

Lieutenant General Noble Thamburaj, general officer commander in chief of the Southern Command of the Indian Army, told a press conference held after the ceremony said the joint training has proved the professional competence of both the contigents.

He said the experience gained during this joint training would help both the armies to develop a common perspective on tackling the menace of international terrorism.

"It has instilled confidence in each other's capabilities to tackle the common threat of terror," he said.

"The biggest impact of this joint training will be on future relations of our two countries," he said.

The two armies held their first joint anti-terrorism military training in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province last year.

Senior Colonel Tian Yixiang, head of the Chinese military experts group, said compared with the "Hand-in Hand 2007", learning from each other is a significant part of this year's joint training.

In order to achieve this goal, the soldiers from two countries were mixed into different groups, listened to lectures together, held discussions, and learned to use weapons of each other, Tian said.

"We've learned a lot from the experience they gained from practical anti-terror battles and they appreciated the strong mind and good tactics of our side," he said.

In recent years, with further deepening of China's military exchanges with its foreign counterparts, the PLA has conducted a series of joint training and exercises with the armed forces of different countries in the world, Ma Xiaotian said.

"By now, China has conducted more than 20 joint military exercises and trainings under the subject of counter-terrorism with more than 20 countries," he said.

He said the purposes of these joint trainings and exercises were to enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the PLA and the foreign armed forces, and to constantly enhance the capabilities of the armed forces in coping with non- traditional security threats.

"They are held also to demonstrate China's will and determination to enhance international security cooperation and maintain regional and world peace and stability and promote common development and prosperity," he said.