After more than two months of uncertainty, there seems to be a glimmer of hope for the first ever India-China army exercise. Sources indicate that the exercise, originally planned for early November, may be rescheduled for later this year as the two sides have agreed to de-link it from the Annual Defence Dialogue (ADD) to accelerate the process.Earlier, China had insisted that the date and venue of the exercise be discussed at the first ADD between the two countries next month. The move would have delayed the planning stage of the exercise to next year, sources said.Defence Ministry officials had said earlier this month that the exercise stands delayed as both sides have not been able to finalise a date or venue for the joint war games. They added that China abruptly called off its planning team’s Delhi visit last month to finalise the exercice.Last month, Defence Minister AK Antony had come on record to say that the countries would hold the war game in early November. The exercise, to be themed on an anti-terror scenario in a mountainous region, was finalised during former Army Chief JJ Singh’s Beijing visit in May.The exercise will involve 60-70 soldiers from each side and military planners have shortlisted the mountainous Chengdu Military Region as a possible venue for the joint manoeuvres. Till now, interaction between the armies of the two nations has been limited to observer status at each other’s military exercises.Other than the exercise, the two countries will formalise exchange of military personnel for training purposes at the defence dialogue in Beijing. China had expressed interest for participation in courses at premier Indian defence institutes, including the Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College, during General JJ Singh’s visit.
