Chen Bingde, chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, met in Beijing on Monday with Bimal Julka, joint secretary of the Indian Ministry of Defense, who is here attending the first defense and security consultation between China and India.

Chen, also member of the Central Military Commission, said Sino-Indian relations had entered a new period and the two militaries had conducted fruitful cooperation.

He said the two sides should enhance defense cooperation in the framework of the strategic and cooperative partnership. The two militaries should contribute to the common prosperity of the two countries, as well as to world peace and stability, he noted.

Bimal Julka said India would like to work with China to promote military exchanges based on mutual respect and trust. He reaffirmed India would adhere to one-China policy.

According a memorandum of understanding on enhancing defense cooperation signed in May 2006, China and India held the first defense and security consultation in Beijing on Monday morning. Qian Lihua, director of Foreign Affairs Office of China's Defense Ministry, and Bimal Julka co-chaired the consultation.

(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2007)