With Indo-China relations on the upswing, a high-level Indian Army delegation will be visiting Beijing. Modalities of the visit are being worked out. Sources said that the Indian delegation, which is expected to be led by the Eastern Army Commander, would travel to China in the second week of August.
The upcoming visit will be to reciprocate the recent visit by Chinese military delegation led by Lt Gen Liu Xiaowu, deputy commander of Western Theatre Command. Western Theatre Command of Chinese People's Liberation Army looks after the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto undemarcated border with India. The visit by Chinese delegation was the first by a high-level military delegation after the 78 days stand off in Doklam last year. During their India visit, PLA delegation visited the 33 Corps which handles Sikkim and interacted with the top Indian military leadership.
Now, the visit by Indian Army Commander next month, hints at further thaw in the Sino-India military relations. The last time an Indian Army delegation visited China was in 2015 and it was headed by the then Northern Army Commander Lt Gen D.S. Hooda.
In the recent past, sincere efforts were taken by both sides to improve ties. Prime Narendra Modi's informal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan, followed by PM Modi's speech at Shangri-La dialogue, have indicated New Delhi's change in approach towards Beijing. India also decided to re-engage with China on maritime dialogue. Last time, India held a maritime dialogue with China was in 2016. Besides, Chinese Defence Minister Lt Gen Wei Fenghe will also visit New Delhi soon to strengthen bilateral relations.
India had snapped its military ties with China in 2010 after Beijing refused to give visa to the then Northern Army Commander Lt Gen B.S. Jaswal by saying that he 'controlled' a disputed area, Jammu and Kashmir.