China and India have welcomed the holding of a counter-terrorism joint exercise between their armies in China this year, according to a joint statement published by the Xinhua News Agency on Saturday, which means the bilateral joint exercise of their armies is likely to be resumed after five years.

The statement was made by Chinese Defense Minister General Chang Wanquan, and Indian Minister of Defense A.K. Antony, who has been on a high-level visit to China since Thursday.

The exercise, if carried out, will mark the third joint army exercise between the two countries. The first two exercises were held in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

The bilateral defense exchanges were suspended in 2009, when India expressed outrage because China issued visas to residents in the Indian-controlled Kashmir district.

Besides bolstering exchanges between their armies, India and China also agreed to boost bilateral cooperation over the sea and in the air.

"The navies will increase ship visits, consider conducting joint maritime search and rescue exercises and cooperate in counter-piracy operations," said the joint statement, adding that the PLA Navy hospital ship, Peace Arc, was scheduled to arrive in Mumbai in August.

"The air forces will carry out high level visits and expand their functional exchanges. They would focus on topics of mutual interest including flight safety, aviation medicine and training," said the statement.

The two defense ministers also agreed in the statement to bolster "peace and tranquility" over their border. "They reviewed the working of agreements and protocols dealing with the maintenance of peace and tranquility and directed that it be further strengthened," said the statement.

Global Times