Date:23/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/23/stories/2004122304671200.htm

National

Army Chief in China

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC. 22. The Chief of the Army Staff, N. C. Vij, today became the first Indian Army chief to visit China after a decade. Gen. Vij arrived today in Shanghai on a week-long visit to increase mutual trust and cooperation between the two armies, official sources said here. In 1994, the then Army chief, B.C. Joshi, had visited China.

During his stay in Shanghai, Gen. Vij will hold discussions with senior People's Liberation Army (PLA) leaders of the Shanghai Military Garrison.

He will later visit the garrisons in the eastern port city of Qingdao and the south-western city of Xian.

Gen. Vij will visit Beijing at the end of his tour and hold talks with PLA leaders there.