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India, China plan joint air exercises

New Delhi: In a sign of broadening defence cooperation, China and India are now considering holding of joint air exercises.

The two countries held their first-ever joint army exercise at Kunming in China’s Yunnan province in December last.

“We favour scaling up the military-to-military ties with India and as part of the efforts, the two countries are holding talks for joint exercise between the Air Forces,” Chinese Defence Attaché in New Delhi Li Chao told PTI.

The two Armies would participate in their second joint exercise on the Indian soil this year. “Talks are going on and I think we will see a joint exercise between Air Forces of the two countries early next year,” he said.

The official said military ties between India and China were growing “step by step,” which was a “good sign” to improve stability and security in the region.

Noting that relations between the two countries had improved in the last three years, he said the joint military exercises would help the armed forces of the two countries “understand each other.” — PTI

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