<p>Indian and Chinese armies are all set to hold their third joint military exercises after a gap of five years, as a 150-strong Indian army contingent today arrived in Chengdu city to take part in anti-terrorism drills.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 10-day drill code named "hand in hand" would be formally inaugurated tomorrow at a designated area close to Chengdu city.<br /><br />The annual exercises, which began in 2007, are being resumed after a gap of five years.The first exercises were held in China's Kunming city followed by the second round at Belgaum in Karanataka in 2008.<br /><br />The next round was called off by India following the denial of visa to a top General heading troops in Jammu and Kashmir on the grounds that the region formed part of disputed territory.<br /><br />The two sides resumed contacts after China rescinded its decision and began issuing regular visas to residents of Jammu and Kashmir, a move that facilitated a broad engagement between the two giant neighbours.<br /><br />However, border tensions flared up when Chinese troops pitched tents deep inside the Indian side of Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh region in April this year.<br /><br />It was resolved subsequently ahead of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to New Delhi followed by return visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here last month.<br /><br />During Singh's visit, the two countries signed the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) which both sides believe would effectively address a host of issues causing tension at the disputed border.<br /><br />The military exercises were firmed up during Defence Minister A K Antony's visit here in July this year.<br /><br />Significantly, the exercises focussing on anti-terrorism drills were taking place as China stepped up its campaign against terrorism after last week's suicide attack at the Forbidden City overlooking Tiananmen square here.<br /><br />Following this China said it would up step anti-terrorism cooperation members of the six member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation consisting of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.<br /><br />India and Pakistan are observers in the grouping. </p>
<p>Indian and Chinese armies are all set to hold their third joint military exercises after a gap of five years, as a 150-strong Indian army contingent today arrived in Chengdu city to take part in anti-terrorism drills.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 10-day drill code named "hand in hand" would be formally inaugurated tomorrow at a designated area close to Chengdu city.<br /><br />The annual exercises, which began in 2007, are being resumed after a gap of five years.The first exercises were held in China's Kunming city followed by the second round at Belgaum in Karanataka in 2008.<br /><br />The next round was called off by India following the denial of visa to a top General heading troops in Jammu and Kashmir on the grounds that the region formed part of disputed territory.<br /><br />The two sides resumed contacts after China rescinded its decision and began issuing regular visas to residents of Jammu and Kashmir, a move that facilitated a broad engagement between the two giant neighbours.<br /><br />However, border tensions flared up when Chinese troops pitched tents deep inside the Indian side of Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh region in April this year.<br /><br />It was resolved subsequently ahead of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to New Delhi followed by return visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here last month.<br /><br />During Singh's visit, the two countries signed the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) which both sides believe would effectively address a host of issues causing tension at the disputed border.<br /><br />The military exercises were firmed up during Defence Minister A K Antony's visit here in July this year.<br /><br />Significantly, the exercises focussing on anti-terrorism drills were taking place as China stepped up its campaign against terrorism after last week's suicide attack at the Forbidden City overlooking Tiananmen square here.<br /><br />Following this China said it would up step anti-terrorism cooperation members of the six member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation consisting of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.<br /><br />India and Pakistan are observers in the grouping. </p>