Indian Army had been maintaining that hotline should be set up between its DGMO and its equivalent in the People’s Liberation Army

New Delhi: Indian and Chinese defence secretaries met in the Capital on Tuesday to discuss setting up of hotlines between the central and regional military headquarters of the two countries.

Beijing’s intransigence to act against Pakistan-based terrorists such as Masood Azhar was also the highlight of the talks between the secretaries. India also raised its concerns over China’s support to the Pakistani establishment, including its backing for Islamabad’s activities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Defence secretary Sanjay Mitra and his Chinese counterpart Lt General Shao Yuanming, the deputy chief of Joint Staff Department, Central Military Commission of People ’s Liberation Army, met within months of Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe’s India visit.

During Chinese defence minister’s visit here in August, both sides had agreed to create a new memorandum of understanding on defence exchanges and cooperation, with India suggesting setting up of more than one military hotline, including between the local commands. During the meeting, the two sides had agreed to create hotline at the level of the Director General of Military Operations.

Indian Army had been maintaining that hotline should be set up between its DGMO and its equivalent in the People’s Liberation Army. But China had proposed that as its Western Theatre Command is located opposite India, its commander should engage with the Indian DGMO. India had been maintaining that protocol should be followed.

The new Sino-Indian MoU will replace the one signed on defence cooperation in 2006, wherein the two countries had agreed to regularly hold military exchanges and joint military exercises.