Beijing, April 20
Defence Minister George Fernandes arrived here today on his maiden trip to China during which he is likely to discuss bilateral ties, the situation in South Asia, war on Iraq and other issues of strategic importance to both nations.
“The two sides will have in-depth talks on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest,” an official source said.
Mr Fernandes is visiting China at a time when Beijing is hit by the outbreak of the deadly epidemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome which has killed 18 persons here and 79 nationwide.
His week-long visit, at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart General Cao Gangchuan, is expected to enhance Indo-China military cooperation and boost mutual understanding and trust, the sources said.
Apart from having official-level talks with General Gangchuan here tomorrow, Mr Fernandes will also call on the chairman of the central military commission and former President Jiang Zemin, Premier Wen Jiabao and other senior Chinese leaders.
He will be the first Indian leader to meet China’s new Communist party leaders who took charge of the party and the government in November last year and in March this year.
Apart from Beijing, Mr Fernandes and a high-level Indian military delegation would visit some other Chinese cities and witness the three wings of the 2.5-million-strong Chinese People’s Liberation Army, the world’s largest standing army.
Mr Fernandes is the first Indian Defence Minister to visit China since 1992 and the week-long visit is seen as a prelude to the much-talked about trip by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee later this year.
NEW DELHI: The Defence Minister is heading a 16-member delegation comprising Defence Secretary Subir Dutta, Secretary Defence Production, N.S. Sisodhia, Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lieut-Gen Shantanu Choudhary, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral R. Gopalachary and senior officers of the ministries of Defence and External Affairs.
Mr Fernandes is visiting China at the invitation of General Cao Gangchuan, State Councillor and Minister for National Defence. He will also call on the Chairman of the Central Military Commission and former President Jiang Zemin, Premier Wen Jiabao and other senior Chinese leaders, sources said.
“The trip during which Mr Fernandes will visit military establishments around Beijing and Shanghai is expected to contribute to the building of greater trust and goodwill between the two large Asian neighbours,’’ sources added.
They expressed the confidence that the Defence Minister’s talks in Beijing would pave the way for highest level contacts between the two countries with the expected visit of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee later this year.
