Belgaum (Karnataka), Dec 8: Indian and Chinese troops showed improved cooperation and team spirit as they took part in various activities during the ongoing first-ever Sino-India joint military combat exercises on Indian soil.

The competition was not between the Indian troops and the Chinese troops, but the teams were a mix of both Indian and Chinese army personnel.

"Sports brings friendship and team spirit amongst the troops when we play games," said Brigadier S. K. Patiyal of Indian Army on Sunday.

Senior Colonel Qin Xiang You, the Chinese contingent commander said the exercise would help enhance the cooperation between the militaries of both nations.

He also added that the way the Indian and Chinese army personnel were taking part in the exercises and games, it would enhance bilateral cooperation and friendship.

"The way we have mixed our team mates is a good way of showing cooperation. It also reflects with enhanced cooperation together comes the enhanced friendship," said Senior Colonel Xiang You.

It is the first time that the exercises are being conducted on Indian soil. The first joint army exercises were organized in Kunming, China in 2007. During the course of the joint training, Chinese troops from the 1st Company of the Infantry Battalion of the Chengdu Military Area Command and Indian Army troops from 8 Maratha Light Infantry Battalion, will undertake joint tactical maneuvers and drills; interoperability training and joint command post procedures.

The exercise will finally culminate in a joint counter-terrorist operational exercise with the enemy in simulated conditions.

The exercise has been planned at mixed company group level with command and control elements from the respective battalions'''''''' headquarters. The training and maneuvers are to be supervised by a joint directing panel comprising of Indian and Chinese Army officials. Called the Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2008, the event between the third largest army in the world and the largest army of the world is a continuation of ongoing Army-to-Army cooperation, as part of the Annual Defence Dialogue (ADD) initiated between India and China in 2006. (ANI)