Thursday, May 26 2005 15:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Hinting that relations with China were assuming "strategic" dimensions, Army Chief General J J Singh today (May 26, 2005) said the armies of the two nations may soon hold joint exercises in counter-insurgency and preparing for United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations.

"We have drawn a roadmap for increasing interaction between the two armed forces which may soon lead to holding of joint exercises in counter terrorism and preparing for international peacekeeping operations," Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a joint Army-CII (Confederation Of India Industry) seminar on 'Information Warfare' in New Delhi.

Asserting that peace and tranquillity agreement was holding on 4000-kilometre long Sino-Indian border, the Army Chief said that there were few aberrations for which a mechanism had been institutionalised.

He said that these minimal cases are due to difference in perception in alignment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and "we hope that once detailed maps are exchanged in all the three sectors - western, eastern and central, these issues would be resolved."

On the ongoing Secretary-level talks on Siachin glacier being held in Islamabad, Singh said that the Army has given its feedback to the Government and "we are awaiting the outcome of talks".

He said that India's stand is that the present actual ground positions (AGPL) between NJ9842 to Upper Sal Toro Ridge should be authenticated, as it will safeguard the country's interests in the future.

The Army Chief said a Chinese Army team would witness a combined Army- Indian Air Force (IAF) exercise being conducted in the Rajasthan desert soon.

"This will be a follow up to an Indian Army team led by a senior Major General having witnessed People's Liberation Army (PLA) exercises in October, 2004," Singh said.

Dwelling on the Mcmohan Line, the Army Chief said that the troops were "by and large" respecting the LAC by maintaining "correct behaviour".

Asked if the two countries would contemplate troop reduction on the border, Singh said that if the present positive trend continued on the borders, it could be considered in the long run.

"The momentum given by our leaders to normalise relations has been embraced by the two militaries," Singh said, indicating that other measures of increasing military to military cooperation like joint adventure activities, exchange of visits by senior and medium level military officers and holding of more border meetings were also being enforced.