In consonance with the vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chinese President Xi Jinping during Wuhan summit, where both leaders reaffirmed the need to strengthen bilateral ties, a high level Chinese Army delegation led by Lt Gen Liu Xiaowu, Deputy Commander of Western Theatre Command arrived at Sukna yesterday afternoon.   This visit is seen as a major initiative to strengthen relationship between the militaries of both nations. The delegation comprising 10 senior military officials from China will interact with their military counterparts at HQ 33 Corps. The delegation before arriving at Sukna, has visited Delhi and Agra. India and China had endorsed the need to resume military ties when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Chinese President Xi Jinping for an informal summit at Wuhan in China in April this year. Towards that end, this visit by the military delegation to local military headquarters is a significant step forward towards increasing interactions at military commander’s level and implementation of various agreements to maintain peace and tranquility on the borders.

During their stay at Sukna, the visiting dignitaries will hold delegation level talks, besides interaction at various levels for better understanding of each other and exchange of ideas.  The Indian delegation will be led by Lt Gen Pradeep M Bali, GOC Trishakti Corps.  The delegation level talks will be followed by a cultural programme showcasing Indian traditional dances and a banquet in the honour of visiting delegation. The PLA delegation will depart on 05 July for their onward visit to Kolkata.

Manoj Tuli

APRO (Army)