‘Broad consensus to improve Sino-India border management’

BEIJING: China on Wednesday said a “broad consensus” has been reached with India during the recent visit of army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag to further improve relations between the two militaries, including cooperation on border management and control.

During his visit to China from November 20 to 25, Gen Suhag held talks with Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Gen Xu Qiliang, head of the PLA Gen Li Zuocheng and head of the Commander of the Eastern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Gen Liu Yuejun, Chinese military spokesman, Col Yang Yujin said here.

“The two sides exchanged views and reached a broad consensus on further development of bilateral military relations and enhancement of army to army cooperation and cooperation on border management and control,” he said.

He was responding to a question on the takeaways from Gen Suhag’s visit and the talks between the Indian Army chief and Gen Xu, who reports directly to President Xi Jinping. The president heads the CMC, the PLA’s overall high command.

A press release by the ministry of defence here quoted Xu as saying that the militaries of the two countries should serve as the booster and stabiliser in the development of relations between China and India.

Xu said that China and India have a long history of friendship, and the Chinese side attaches great importance to developing relations with India. He wished the two armies would further strengthen border management and control. PTI