A low-key meeting in Beijing this week marked the beginning of the first-ever institutionalised defence consultations between India and China. The two countries engaged in their first Annual Defence Dialogue (ADD) —aimed at reducing mutual suspicion and identifying areas of cooperation in security related issues — under an MoU signed last year.The dialogue focused on improving the border post meeting mechanism between the two countries and also on a plan to exchange military personnel for training. The venue and timing of the first ever army exercise between the two nations were also finalised during the talks.Earlier this year, during the visit of former Army chief General JJ Singh, China had also expressed interest in the courses of premier Indian defence institutes like the National Defence College and Defence Services Staff College.The Indian side was led by Bimal Julka, Joint Secretary in the Defence Ministry while the Chinese Defence Ministry was represented by their director of foreign affairs. The next round of talks are now expected to be conducted in New Delhi.
