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India and China launch war games BBC India and China have begun a landmark joint military exercise, the first of its kind between the two largest armies in the world. The exercise is taking place between 20 and 28 December in China's south-western province of Yunnan. It involves a company - just over 100 officers and men - from each side. India and China fought a brief but bloody border war in 1962 and observers say the largely symbolic exercise is to boost historically frosty relations.
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says after years of mistrust both sides are beginning to benefit from increased trade and their governments are coming under increasing pressure from business leaders to improve ties. 'Three evil forces' "The joint training is aimed at enhancing understanding and mutual trust between Chinese and Indian armies and strengthening their exchanges in the anti-terror areas," a statement issued by the foreign office of the Chinese Ministry of National Defence said. "It is also aimed at deterring the 'three evil forces' - separatists, extremists and terrorists - and promoting the strategic partnership for peace and prosperity between China and India." Indian troops taking part have been picked from forces fighting insurgencies in restive north-eastern India and Indian-administered Kashmir, reports said. Indian forces are carrying their personal weapons, light machine guns and mortars. The armoury - tanks, helicopter gunships and unmanned aerial vehicles - are being provided by the Chinese army.
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