<p>Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh will travel to China on Monday for a four-day official trip, to continue with India’s efforts to engage with the People’s Liberation Army on defence and security cooperation.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In the last 15 years, Gen Singh would be the third army chief to visit the communist country after Gen N C Vij and Gen Bikram Singh.<br /><br />For almost four decades since the 1962 war, there was barely any cooperation between the two Asian neighbours on military affairs.<br /><br />The first sign of thaw was seen a decade ago when then defence minister Pranab Mukherjee signed a cooperation agreement with his Chinese counterpart.<br /><br />Subsequently, the two countries initiated an annual exercise between the two armies and there are now talks to hold naval exercises. <br /><br />New Delhi and Beijing also inked a border guarding agreement and undertake regular military exchanges. <br /><br />During the four-day tour, Gen Singh along with his delegation will be visiting an infantry division and army air defence brigade besides meeting top PLA and Central Military Commission officials.<br /><br />“The visit aims at engaging China on subjects of mutual concern and shared interest, which include terrorism, humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping training. It is an opportunity to re-engage PLA in the field of defence cooperation and build upon existing mutual cooperation and trust between the two nations,” said an army spokesperson.<br /> </p>
<p>Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh will travel to China on Monday for a four-day official trip, to continue with India’s efforts to engage with the People’s Liberation Army on defence and security cooperation.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In the last 15 years, Gen Singh would be the third army chief to visit the communist country after Gen N C Vij and Gen Bikram Singh.<br /><br />For almost four decades since the 1962 war, there was barely any cooperation between the two Asian neighbours on military affairs.<br /><br />The first sign of thaw was seen a decade ago when then defence minister Pranab Mukherjee signed a cooperation agreement with his Chinese counterpart.<br /><br />Subsequently, the two countries initiated an annual exercise between the two armies and there are now talks to hold naval exercises. <br /><br />New Delhi and Beijing also inked a border guarding agreement and undertake regular military exchanges. <br /><br />During the four-day tour, Gen Singh along with his delegation will be visiting an infantry division and army air defence brigade besides meeting top PLA and Central Military Commission officials.<br /><br />“The visit aims at engaging China on subjects of mutual concern and shared interest, which include terrorism, humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping training. It is an opportunity to re-engage PLA in the field of defence cooperation and build upon existing mutual cooperation and trust between the two nations,” said an army spokesperson.<br /> </p>
