Press Trust of India,
SHILLONG: The Indian Air Force(IAF) would like to conduct joint air exercises with China as there were no “issues” that came in the way of such manoeuvres, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal F H Major said on Monday.
Major told reporters at the Eastern Air Command base at Shillong he was “hopeful” that in the near future India may have a joint military exercises with China.
“I can't give the time but there are no issues between India and China which prevents both the countries from having such an exercise.”
“The Indian army will have military exercise with China next year and so why not with the Indian air force too?” Major said.
The date and venue for the army exercises are yet to be decided. The two countries have in the past conducted joint naval exercises in the East China Sea.
Major while seeking to allay any fears of a military threat from China said there “was misunderstanding on the location of the Indo-China boundary.”
Replying to queries on the reported Chinese intrusion, “Intrusion is a wrong word to be used. Yes, there is a difference of perception of the boundary between both the countries.”
Stating that transgression of people through the border cannot be viewed as “violation” or “intrusion”, he said talks were on between both the countries to resolve the differences amicably.
He ruled out any threat from China as of now as it had no permanent air base in Tibet region.
On Pakistan, he said the Air Force was watching the developments closely and the force was prepared to meet any eventuality or spill over effects
