With PLA chief General Liang Guanglie on a tour of the country, the Army Headquarters has got busy with a draft plan to promote military cooperation between the two countries.Army Chief J.J. Singh hinted this morning that there was scope for joint counter-terrorism operations, joint training for UN peacekeeping and a larger number of mid-rung training exchanges with China. “The confidence building measures between the world’s two largest armies have been manifested along the LAC. Both sides respect peace and tranquility. The future could hold joint exercises for counter-terrorism and training for UN peacekeeping,” he said at an Army-CII conference this morning.Gen Singh also indicated that the improved relations could lead to reduction of troops by both countries along the LAC. He further said the situation in the Eastern and Western sectors were different — as there was no proxy war. In fact, following a visit by an Army team to China in October, a invitation has been sent for a PLA team to witness an Army-IAF exercise in Thar.‘‘We are entering into a new era of mutual friendship. This is a great event for us,’’ said Southern Army Commander Lt Gen B.S. Takhar, after an hour-long visit by Gen Guanglie to the Command Headquarters in Pune today. (With Pune inputs)
