Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie's India visit is "a sign that
military exchanges between China and India are back on track", an expert
told a Chinese daily.
Liang Guanglie arrived in Mumbai Sunday, marking the first visit by a Chinese defence minister to India in eight years.
Fu
Xiaoqiang, an expert on South Asian studies at the China Institutes of
Contemporary International Relations, said the visit was a sign that
military exchanges between China and India are back on track, reported
China Daily.
The Chinese daily said the rapid and almost
simultaneous rise of China and India raised concerns about an inevitable
confrontation between the two emerging economies.
Liang and
his delegation, which includes high-ranking members of the Chinese
defense and military establishment, are scheduled to meet Indian Defence
Minister A.K. Antony.
Liang's visit showed that military exchanges between Asia's two largest powers have "returned to normal", Fu said.
Despite defence exchange being on hold since 2004, Fu said there have been political engagements between the two nations.
"I
think visit of General Liang will also enrich the two countries'
cooperation in military and security," Fu was quoted as saying.
"I
would rather see the current political climate as an opportunity for
China and India. If the two handle it properly, dialogues on various
issues will help us avoid doubts and embrace more opportunities for the
comprehensive development of Sino-Indian relations," he added.
Liang
began his visit to three Asian neighbours Wednesday, stopping in Sri
Lanka. After the five-day trip to India, he heads to Laos.
