NEW DELHI, Nov 19: India did not perceive any threat from China’s air force as it has no permanent bases in Tibet and was quite willing to have a joint exercise with its neighbour, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal FH Major said on Monday.
“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 air chief said. “The Indian army will have military exercise with China next year and so why not with the Indian air force too?”
Press Trust of India 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 sought to allay fears of a military threat from China and said there “was misunderstanding on the location of the Indo-China boundary,” according to PTI.
In reply to queries on the reported Chinese intrusion into Indian territory, he said: “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,” PTI said.
