JOIN USArmy 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.
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.
For almost four decades since the 1962 war, there was barely any cooperation between the two Asian neighbours on military affairs.
The first sign of thaw was seen a decade ago when then defence minister Pranab Mukherjee signed a cooperation agreement with his Chinese counterpart.
Subsequently, the two countries initiated an annual exercise between the two armies and there are now talks to hold naval exercises.
New Delhi and Beijing also inked a border guarding agreement and undertake regular military exchanges.
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.
“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.