|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 4 November 2003 |
 |
|
 |
World | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
China, India to hold joint naval exercises this month BEIJING, Monday (AFP) In a sign of warming ties, the Chinese and Indian navies are slated to hold joint exercises this month while their air forces are mulling joint jet fighter operations, state press reported Monday. The naval exercises are expected to entail search and rescue operations including up to two naval vessels from each side in neutral waters in the Bay of Bengal off India's east coast in mid-November, the Extensive Military Readings Journal said. India could dispatch its Delhi guided missile destroyer, with China expected to send a comparable vessel, the report said. China's ministry of defense refused immediate comment. The announcement came as Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf arrived in Beijing Monday to hold summit level talks with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao. China and Pakistan carried out joint naval exercises off the coast of China's largest city Shanghai last week. The drill, code-named "Dolphin 0310," simulated an emergency rescue operation and was the first time either country had engaged in joint naval operations with another nation. The Indian-Chinese joint military exercises were first proposed by Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes during a March visit to Beijing. Both sides agreed to the proposal during Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's visit to China in June, the Chinese journal said. "China wants to be friends with India. China is seeking India's friendship and I believe that if someone wants to be friendly with us, we should stretch our hand," Fernandes told the BBC's HardTalk programme last week. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
