China, India agree joint military training

BEIJING - China and India have agreed to hold a joint army training exercise named "Hand-in-Hand 2014," and to organize joint navy training in due time.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between the two countries within their Defense and Security Consultation program in New Delhi on February 24, said Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun on Thursday.

"The armies of China and India have conducted three joint training exercises in recent years, which have helped the two sides enhance mutual understanding and trust, and learn from each other on military building," Yang told a regular press briefing.

He said the meeting also saw discussion of the security situation in South Asia, the China-India relationship, bilateral military ties and cooperation.

"The two armed forces agreed to strengthen their high-level strategic communication, continue defense cooperation, and push forward military ties to a new high," according to the spokesman.

They also agreed to implement the Border Defense Cooperation Agreement, signed by the two governments during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's official visit to China in 2013, and maintain peace and stability along border areas through joint efforts, Yang added.

The consultation were co-chaired by Wang Guanzhong, deputy chief of general staff of the People's Liberation Army, and Indian Defense Secretary R.K. Mathur.