Army Chief Gen Suhag in China on goodwill visit

India's Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag today held important talks with the People's Liberation Army leadership in Beijing as both sides sought to build trust and address issues related to the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC).

During talks, both sides agreed to deepen defence exchanges and noted the steps taken to ensure peace and tranquility along the border.

The Army chief is leading a high-level military delegation comprising senior military officers to China on a four-day visit from 21 to 24 November 2016.

General Suhag was received by Army Commander General Li Zuocheng at a welcome ceremony at the PLA headquarters in Beijing.

"This is a goodwill visit aimed to send a positive message and to keep communication lines open despite differences," an official told India Today.

The Army Chief also called on General Xu Qiliang, vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission and one of two highest-ranking generals in the Chinese military. The CMC is headed by President Xi Jinping.

An Indian Embassy statement said both had "reiterated their desire to keep up the momentum of defence exchanges and the need to keep the borders tranquil and peaceful".

During the four-day visit the General and his delegation will be visiting important military installations and is also scheduled to meet with a number of high ranking officers of PLA and CMC.

The visit is seen an opportunity to re-engage PLA in the field of defence cooperation and build upon existing mutual cooperation and trust between the two nations.

The delegation will be visiting military installations including Infantry Division and Army Air Defence Brigades.
 
The visit aims at engaging China on subjects of mutual concern and shared interest, which include terrorism, humanitarian assistance and peace keeping training.

The visit comes amidst growing stronger economic and military ties between the emerging Asian giants and follows high level diplomatic and military exchanges between the two neighbours.

The visit also coincides with a joint military exercise (Exercise Hand in Hand), between two armies which is underway in Pune and will be followed by visit of General Zhao Zongqi, Commander, Western Theatre Command of PLA in second week of December 2016.