China and India are expected to hold their first ever joint
naval exercises in the East China Sea today, marking an improvement
in relations between the world's two most populous countries.
The Indian fleet comprises three warships, namely, INS Ranjit
(Guided Missile Destroyer), INS Kulish (Guided Missile Corvette)
and INS Jyoti (Replenishment Tanker), Indian ambassador to China
Nalin Surie told China Daily.
The fleet arrived in east China's Shanghai Municipality on
Monday for a five-day official visit. They are expected to join the
Chinese navy today in the one-day search and rescue exercises off
the coast of Shanghai, China's commercial hub.
"The exercise, aimed at ensuring the safety of maritime trade
and improving co-ordination in search and rescue at sea, will be a
stepping stone in enhancing inter-operability between the two
navies," said the ambassador.
"The joint search and rescue exercise by the two navies
highlights the commitment of the two countries for taking steps
that will increase mutual trust and understanding and will enhance
mutually beneficial and broad-based cooperation," said Surie.
The Indian task force is commanded by Rear Admiral R. P. Suthan,
Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet.
In an interview with the Shanghai newspaper Oriental Morning
Post, Suthan said it is a common mission for navies around the
world to maintain maritime safety and conduct rescue on the
sea.
"The unprecedented bilateral cooperation in the non-traditional
security field will play a great role in helping the two countries
build confidence and reduce friction," said Sun Shihai, deputy
director of the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies under the Chinese
Academy of Social Sciences.
"Such cooperation, if it continues, will also play a major role
in maintaining peace and stability in the whole of Asia," he
said.
Chinese military forces have stepped up their cooperation in
non-traditional security fields both regionally and internationally
in recent years. They are pursuing a new security concept of
"mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and co-ordination," a
leading officer with the Foreign Affairs Office under the Chinese
Ministry of National Defence told the press earlier.
Last month, China conducted similar naval exercises with
Pakistan at the same venue. The drill, simulating an emergency
rescue, was the first time either country had engaged in joint
naval operations with another nation.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf visited Beijing earlier
this month, shortly after the drill.
The two countries signed a joint declaration on the direction of
future developments in China-Pakistan cooperation.
Last week, when responding to a question on the impact of
China-India joint naval exercises on China-Pakistan relations,
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said China considers good
relations with both India and Pakistan important.
"China stands ready to continue its relationship with all its
neighbours, including India and Pakistan, in the spirit of being
kind to neighbours and treating neighbours as partners," Zhang
said.
"China, by developing good relations with both India and
Pakistan simultaneously, is asserting itself as a responsible,
constructive and positive influence in South Asia," Sun said.
He said stability and prosperous development in South Asia is in
China's interests as it needs a peaceful environment for domestic
development.
The Indian ambassador said the drill will also provide a fillip
to the growing momentum in bilateral relations.
"The drill will show that China and India are now carrying out
cooperation across the board, which will help the two countries
solve problems left by history," said Zhang Minqiu, a professor
with the School of International Studies at Peking University,
referring to long-standing boundary disputes.
Zhang said the visit to China in June of Indian Prime Minister
Atal Behari Vajpayee indicates bilateral ties have entered a new
phase. The joint naval exercises were agreed during this visit, the
ambassador said.
China and India signed a declaration on principles for relations
and comprehensive cooperation during the visit. Both sides agreed
to appoint special representatives on the border issue as well.
(China Daily November 14, 2003)