Chinese Defence Minister Gen Liang Guanglie is likely to visit India in September, which is being seen as a significant indication of the PLA to improve defence ties with India ahead of leadership transition in China slated for October-November. According to sources, Gen Liang has expressed his keenness to visit India, for which dates are being finalised. The defence ties between the two countries had hit a new low in recent years when China had refused via to head of the Northern Command Major Gen Jaswal on the ground that he was serving in the ‘sensitive ‘ region of Jammu and Kashmir, following which the defence exchanges between the two countries had been suspended. However, these were later restored. The Chinese defence set up to reach out to India comes at a time when their country was engaged in standoff with several neighbouring countries in the South China sea. UNI
