Chinese Defence Minister’s India Visit, Global Times terms it as a concrete step towards enhancing military trust
New Delhi : With a view to enhance military trust between two Asian giants China and India, the Chinese Defence minister Gen. Wei Fenghe today reached New Delhi on a four day visit.
In the first day of his visit, he called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and during the meeting Prime Minister Modi appreciated the increased momentum of high-level contacts between India and China in all spheres, including in the areas of defence and military exchanges. Terming India-China relations as a factor of stability in the world, the Prime Minister said that maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas is indicative of the sensitivity and maturity with which India and China handle their differences, not allowing them to become disputes.
Not only the Indian Prime Minister the Chinese state-controlled media ‘Global Times’ has also hailed the efforts by both the countries to scale down military tension after last year’s Doklam standoff.
“China and India are wise to downplay tensions and work toward the goal of leaving the Doklam standoff behind and improving all-around ties. For a long time, military relations often became the most sensitive spot between the two sides. For China and India, who have fought a war over territorial disputes, the scars left on bilateral ties are deep. The Doklam standoff, which set bilateral ties in a state of disrepair, deepened distrust. How to restore mutual trust is the big question. Mutual military trust is particularly vital to mend damaged bilateral ties. It will help stabilize bilateral ties and solve border standoffs and manage border risks. Both China and India have made great efforts to enhance bilateral military trust. The meeting between the two defense ministers will help create conditions for the settlement of border disputes, and will also help the two sides explore long-term military communication and conflict-control mechanisms in the border areas. This is the right direction for China and India to finally resolve the border issue through political channels” the Global Times said in a report.