Chinese and Indian armies will begin the "Hand in Hand 2008" joint anti-terrorism training from Decdember 6 to 14 in Belgaum of India's Karnataka state.

"This joint training is aimed at enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and promoting the development of the relations between the two armed forces," Ouyang Wei, professor of the University of National Defense, said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Beijing on Friday.

Chinese troops prepare to get aboard at airport in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province on Thursday. [Xinhua Photo]

The joint training involves the use of technical equipment, exchanges of theories, squad tactics and a comprehensive training session.

The joint training is of no special background and will not target at any third party.

"Sino-Indian military relations have been growing in recent years, thanks to increasing high-level visits and the improvement of bilateral political relations," Ouyang said.

The two navies have conducted joint search and rescue maneuvers. The border security troops of the two countries have reached consensus on maintaining peace in the border area. Both armed forces have sent delegations to witness the maneuvers of the other side. There have also been exchanges between military academies.

The armies of the two countries conducted their first anti-terrorism joint training in southwest China's Yunnan Province last year.

It is also the second time for China to send military forces to south Asia for joint military maneuvers after the China-Pakistan "Friendship 2006" joint anti-terrorism military maneuvre.

China and India are the world's biggest developing countries. Peace and friendship between them is not only in the interests of both countries, but also important for bringing peace, stability and prosperity to south Asia, said Ouyang.

He said in addition to traditional security threats, the world is also facing increasing non-traditional security menaces, and that the armed forces of China and India are shouldering increasing responsibility in coping with terrorism, natural disasters, pirates and climate change.

"Increasing dialogue and exchanges between the two armed forces will not only promote the two countries' mutual understanding and trust, but also to promote their respective military building," said Ouyang.

He added facts have proved that a trusty and cooperative military relationship needs long-term exchanges and cultivation from the both sides.

Ouyang said with the advancement of defense modernization, China's armed forces are getting opener and more transparent. The People's Liberation Army has held 25 joint military maneuvers and four joint onshore training with the armed forces of 21 countries since 2002, including five joint military maneuvers with Pakistan and four joint training with India.

(Xinhua News Agency December 5, 2008)