Chinese military delegation to shortly visit India: official

A Chinese military delegation will shortly visit India, as a major follow up to the informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping, a defence ministry spokesperson said here today.

The delegation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will be headed by Major General Liu Xiaowu, Deputy Commander of China's Western military region, Defence spokesman Colonel Wu Qian said.

He said both sides were currently finalising the dates for the visit, adding that General Liu would also be visiting Pakistan.

"During the visit, he will have meetings with military leaders of both the countries and relevant leaders concerning border defence and controls and as well as cooperation at the theatre level," he said.

The newly-formed Western Theatre Command of the PLA guards the 3,488-km long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India.

About the impact of the Wuhan summit on military ties, Colonel Wu said China and India are neighbours set by nature.

He said the friendly cooperation between the countries can be traced back to the introduction of Buddhism to China and travel of famous Buddhist monk Xuanzang to India.

"The militaries of India and China are willing to implement the important agreement reached between the two leaders in the development bilateral relations," he said.

"We are willing foster strategic mutual trust with India and promote win win cooperation to manage differences and disputes of the borders," he said.

China had on June 1 announced the visit of its military delegation to India, the first since the 73-day military standoff at Dokalam last year, that caused major disruption in relations. Subsequently both sides made efforts to improve ties leading up to the Wuhan summit.