'Maintenance of peace in border is key for Sino-India relations': Maj Gen Mehra

Chief of Army's Red Horns division Maj Gen Deepak Mehra on Saturday said maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas is essential for smooth development of relations between India and China.

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Inaugurating 14-day joint military exercise of two countries in Meghalaya, Army officer said India and China have mutually agreed that stey and improved bilateral relations will be beneficial for people and a major factor of stability in this uncertain global environment.

"We've agreed that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas is essential for smooth development of our relations. To achieve this, armed forces of both countries have enhanced communications and are implementing various confidence building measures," he said.

" joint military exercise is a step in series of initiatives to bring armed forces of two largest and fastest-growing developing countries closer and understand each or better," Major General Mehra said.

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On eighth edition of Hand-in-hand joint military exercise being held at Army training de, General Officer Commanding of Army's Red Horns division said exercise is special this year as it is 70th year of establishment of diplomatic ties between China and India.

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At military exercise, a 139-member contingent of China's People's Liberation Army (Tibet regiment) and an equal number of Indian Armymen (Kumaun Regiment) are taking part.

Over next 14 days, armymen of two neighbouring countries will undertake exercises of tactical operation in an international counter terrorism scenario according to United Nations mandate, Maj Gen Mehra said.

"It is an opportunity to evolve by mutual sharing of experiences and imbibing best practices of each or," he said.