New Delhi, Dec 25 : The next round of a joint military exercise between India and China is likely to be held inside Indian Territory after New Delhi offered to hold the bilateral mock operation.

At Kunming in China's Yunnan province, where the armies of the two countries concluded its first ever joint anti-terror exercise, Deputy Chief of Staff of Indian Army, Lieutenant General Susheel Gupta on Tuesday told reporters that the exercise is a first step in the right direction and the beginning of a long-term understanding and partnership that is set to initiate with this exercise.

However, Lieutenant General Ma Xia Tian of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China said that he would respond shortly on India's proposal after giving it a serious thought.

During the five-day long exercise, armies of both sides tried to learn a lot of tactics from each other. Lieutenant General Ma termed the exercise codenamed "Hand-in-Hand 2007" as 'successful', and added that it would play an active role in "enhancing mutual understanding and trust and deepening exchanges and cooperation in defence field between the two sides."

The decision to hold the exercise is in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on exchange and cooperation in the field of defence, signed between India and China in 2006.

One armed reconnaissance company of the People's Liberation Army and an equivalent strength of Indian troops, led by Brigadier DS Dadwal, participated in the exercise.

Activities involving establishment of a joint command post, joint battle decision-making and conduct of anti terrorism drills were performed.

While the Indian troops taught 'Yoga' to their Chinese counterparts, the Chinese soldiers familiarized Indian troops with martial arts skills. Weapon displays from both the sides were also organized. (ANI)

Image Source : Xinhua (China)