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India, China keen on improving military ties

By Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI MAY 2. India and China have shown interest in improving military-to-military ties through greater interaction between officers and for more cooperation on the high seas to combat arms smuggling and piracy. This emerged during a meeting in Shanghai between the senior leader and Chinese Military Commission Chief, Jiang Zemin, and the Defence Minister, George Fernandes.

Officers of both the armed forces have been visiting each other's countries since the early 90s as part of the confidence-building measures. But, this is the first time that interest has been shown by the leadership of both countries in the exchange of officers, for training in military institutes.

"We also discussed the need for cooperation between both countries to overcome the problem of piracy and arms smuggling on the high seas. Other aspects of the military-to-military relationship were discussed and certain conclusions were arrived at," Mr. Fernandes said.

Evading a direct answer on the pace of the negotiation on resolving the border issue, the Minister said, "all problems have a solution". Mr. Fernandes also mentioned that China desired greater bilateral trade and deeper economic ties through joint ventures.

The attempt by both countries to frame closer military ties comes against the backdrop of scepticism expressed about China's intentions by Mr. Fernandes' Cabinet colleagues. Last week, the Communications Minister, Arun Shourie, in Parliament spoke about an alleged espionage attempt by a Chinese army organisation and cautioned against similar attempts in the making.

Asked about the remark attributed to him about China being India's potential enemy, he said "The whole media is telling a lie for which most people will have to make amends... " Mr. Fernandes was speaking to newsmen after a ceremony in which medicine for combating SARS was handed over to the Chinese Ambassador, Hua Junduo. Overwhelmed by the gesture of the Indian armed forces, Mr. Hua said this augured well for the future. He hoped China and India would combine together to combat common enemies such as poverty, terrorism and SARS.

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