Indo-China joint armies training exercise Hand in Hand – 2013, third in the series began on 06 November 2013, at Miao’ergang, Sichaun province, 130 kms South of Chengdu. Following many incidents of intrusion by Chinese troops across the Line of Actual Control ( in this year), it was decided that the exercises with Peoples Liberation Army will be continued with the aim of yet again trying to renew mutual trust and cooperation.
Aimed at “fighting the challenges of terrorism…enhancing counter terrorism skills and gaining from each others valuable operational experience”, the contingents of the two nations were reorganized into mixed companies and the joint training was divided into phases. After initial familiarization with weapons and equipment of both armies, the joint tactical exercise covering the battle drills of both armies on cordon and search operations, handling of IEDs, establishment of covert observation posts, establishment of communication grids, house intervention drills etc were demonstrated and rehearsed.
The two mixed companies also played games together and exchanged mementos. This exercise came close on the heels of the prime ministers of India and China signing a Border Defence Cooperation Agreement.
