New Delhi - India and China began the second phase of joint military exercises Saturday, focusing on ant-terrorism training in the southern Indian town of Belgaum.

The exercise code-named Hand-in-Hand 2008 is aimed at expanding and strengthening ties between the two countries' armed forces, an Indian Defence Ministry release said.

The first joint military exercise was held in China's Kunming in October 2007.

India and China fought a bitter war in 1962 over disputed territory, and the current joint military exercise is the first to be conducted on Indian soil.

The Chinese Army has sent a 137-strong contingent for the drill which will include joint tactical manoeuvres and joint command post procedures.

The week-long exercise, scheduled to end on Friday, will culminate in a joint counter-terrorist operational exercise with a simulated enemy, the defence release said.

Indian Air Force helicopters will also be used for special manoeuvres and assault operations.

"The primary objective is to enhance mutual understanding and trust between the two countries and their armies. This exercise is very similar to what we had in December last year," Indian Army Major General VK Narula was quoted as saying by IANS news agency.

"In this exercise we will try to remove the communication barriers that largely occurred during the first leg of the military exercises. We are thinking of using the universally accepted sign language," he told reporters.

Both Narula and Chinese Senior Colonel Huang Xue Ping declined to reply to questions on the Mumbai terrorist attacks of December
26.

"We see terrorism as a danger to countries around the world. That calls for joint efforts from all countries and also to make joint training of counter terrorism," Huang said.

India has alleged that elements based in neighbouring Pakistan were involved in the Mumbai terror attacks that killed more than 170 people.

"We have always emphasized that counter-terrorism should not be targeted at any particular religion or any ethnic group. We should have convincing proof before we take action against them," he added.

Huang said China has so far performed joint military exercises with 10 nations. (dpa)