Beijing, Nov.9 (ANI): The Chinese Defense Ministry has dismissed Indian reports that China and Pakistan are holding a joint military exercise to put pressure on New Delhi, and said the anti-terror drill is not targeted at any third country.
"According to the annual exchange plan between China and Pakistan's militaries, the two armies will hold the 'Friendship 2011' joint anti-terror exercise near Islamabad," the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defense told the China Daily.
"This is the first joint drill of the two armies this year and is not targeted at any third nation. It is aimed at enhancing the capability of the two militaries to handle non-traditional security threats and launch joint anti-terror activities," the office said in a written reply.
A report in the Times of India on Saturday said China will hold a drill with Pakistan "at the international border", which it said is "the second joint desert war game in this area within three months".
"China is believed to be once again trying to put pressure on India through the Pakistani border adjoining Rajasthan," the report quoted intelligence sources as saying.
The two-week exercise will begin on November 16.
Premier Wen Jiabao has suggested that the Indian media should stop overplaying security issues and make more positive efforts to improve bilateral relations, when he visited the country late last year. (ANI)
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