Parrikar holds bilateral meeting with General Chang in Beijing

Beijing : India’s Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday held bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart General Chang Wanquan in Beijing.

“Bilateral meeting with Gen Chang Wanquan, Min of National Defence & State Councillor of People’s Republic of China,” Parrikar tweeted.

Prior to the meeting, the visiting Defence Minister accompanied by General Chang was given a grand welcome at the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sprawling headquarters in Beijing west of Tiananmen Square.

“At welcome ceremony in Beijing t’day with Gen Chang Wanquan, Min of Nat’l Defence & State Councillor of PRC,” he tweeted.

Parrikar, who is presently on a five-day visit to China, is the first Indian Defence Minister to visit the country after A.K. Antony in 2013. He will also be meeting the top Chinese military officials.

Parrikar and Chang inspected a guard of honour before heading for talks.

The incidents of incursions, implementation of an agreement to reduce tensions between border patrols and Sino-India strategic concerns are among the issues expected to be discussed during the talks.

Parrikar will also call on Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. He would also visit China’s recently integrated western command military headquarters, which has jurisdiction over border with India.

Parrikar arrived at Shanghai yesterday, accompanied by senior officials from the Army and Navy besides the Defence Ministry.

Addressing the Indian community members in Shanghai, he assured the Government of India’s steadfast commitment at securing their interests. (ANI)