China and India began a joint anti-terrorism drill on Tuesday, the first such exercise by the Asian powers - which have a sometimes-fraught relationship - for five years. The world's two most populous countries each sent one company of soldiers to Chengdu, in the south-western Chinese province of Sichuan, for the "Hand-in-Hand 2013" drill, according to Chinese state media reports.
The joint training exercise comes even as the two remain embroiled in a border dispute that has been unresolved for decades and has occasionally led to military stand-offs. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters Tuesday that the drill showed "enhancing political-military trust between the two countries". "Since the beginning of this year, China and India relations have scored new progress," he said.
Indian officials told AFP the country's contingent for the 10-day-long drill was 162 strong and led by a brigadier. "The joint training exercise is a counter-terrorist exercise with a purpose of exploring useful experience and thoughts, advance pragmatic co-operation, promote friendly environment and enhance mutual trust," an Indian defence ministry statement said.
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