Thaindian News

New Delhi, Nov 28 (IANS) Unfazed by the suspension of their latest border talks, India and China will go ahead with their annual defence dialogue on Dec 8 and 9, when they will finalise the series of bilateral exchanges including a joint army exercise for 2012.

Defence ministry sources said here that there “is no change” in the plans for the annual dialogue to be held in New Delhi.

The decision to go head with the dialogue came despite the Special Representative talks over the border row that was to take place here Monday and Tuesday being cancelled by Beijing at the last minute, reportedly miffed over the participation of Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, in an international Buddhist meet.

The Annual Defence Dialogue (ADD) will be held between Indian Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma and Chinese Deputy Chief of General Staff General Ma Xiaotian here.

The Chinese leader will also meet Defence Minister A.K. Antony as part of his visit to the Indian capital, sources said.

“The meet is basically to finalise the bilateral programmes for 2012. The joint exercise plan too is likely to be discussed,” they said.

However, the two sides may also raise irritants in the military relations. India may raise transgressions by Chinese personnel and helicopters into Indian territory, while China may flag its concerns over Indian warships venturing into the South China Sea, which Beijing views as its backyard.

But both sides are likely to stick to their respective stand on the lack of clarity on the Line of Actual Control and the freedom of navigation in international waters.