China and India set to resume military drills (2)

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Apart from resuming army exercises, the two countries have also agreed to launch joint air and naval drills.

Experts said the "Hand-in-Hand" drills, though not on a large scale, send a positive signal because they help ease border tensions between the two neighbors along the so-called Line of Actual Control, while strengthening mutual trust.

Sun Shihai, an Indian studies expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the resumption of the joint military drills by Beijing and New Delhi after five years indicates an improvement in understanding and mutual trust.

Ding Hao, a researcher at the Academy of Military Sciences in Beijing, said the upcoming exercise is a good opportunity for the two militaries to further dispel suspicions.

"Joint exercises are the most important among all levels and forms of military cooperation. The resumption signifies an incredibly fast recovery of military ties between Beijing and New Delhi," Ding said.

"The two have both shown strong intentions to boost mutual trust by reopening dialogue and engaging in high-level exchanges after frictions," Ding added.

The two governments launched a mechanism for consultation on border issues last year. But ties are still occasionally strained by territorial issues.

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