China said Tuesday it hopes to boost military co-operation with India as the two Asian powerhouses resume defence ties that were frozen for a year over a visa dispute. An Indian military delegation arrived in the Chinese capital on Sunday for a six-day visit that is expected to include a trip to the restive north-western region of Xinjiang, Indian officials have told AFP.
"The military exchange is an important part of China-India relations," foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular briefing. "China would like to make considerable effort with the Indian side to enhance exchange and co-operation between the two militaries." India suspended military exchanges in July last year after Beijing refused to provide a proper stamped visa to the then head of India's Northern Army Command, which controls the region of Indian Kashmir.
China controls a sliver of Kashmir and regards the region, which is also split with Pakistan, as disputed territory. India has been angered by its practice of providing special stapled visas for visitors from Indian Kashmir. Major General Gurmeet Singh, who is leading the eight-member delegation, heads the Delta Force, part of a specialised anti-insurgency unit deployed in Kashmir.
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