NEW DELHI, Dec 19: Indian and Chinese troops will begin a landmark joint exercise from Thursday in China’s Kunming region bordering Myanmar, the Indian government said on Wednesday.

“In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on exchange and cooperation in the field of defence, signed between India and China in 2006, the first Sino Indian Joint

Training Exercise “Hand in Hand 2007” will commence in Kunming, on Thursday,” a statement said.

The week-long exercise involv-ing the One Armed Reconnaissance Company of the

PLA and an equivalent strength of Indian troops would include establishment of a joint command post, joint battle decision-making and conduct of anti-terrorism drills.

“The joint training exercise between the armies of the two countries is reflective of the growing relations between India and China in the field of defence,” the Indian statement said.

Earlier this year two ships of the Indian Navy made a port call at Qingdao and participated in a joint exercise with the PLA Navy.

The countries also held their first Annual Defence Dialogue in China in November this year.

Arriving in Kunming on Wednesday Indian commander Brig DS Dadwal said. “This is a historic occasion and a very significant one.

This is for the first time that troops of the Indian Army will be participating in a joint exercise with troops of the Peoples Liberation Army of China”.

The contingent was received by Senior Colonel Tian, Senior Colonel Zhang, Senior Colonel Wu Hiao Yi and more than 40 officers of PLA with a ceremonial band in attendance.

A strong contingent of Chinese media was also present on the occasion.