The proposed first-ever Sino-Indian joint military exercise would increase mutual understanding and trust between the armed forces of the two Asian giants and also promote regional as well as global security and stability, analysts have said.

"The decision to enhance military exchanges between China and India is an important step to enhance bilateral relations, " Professor Ma Jiali from the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), said on Sunday.

Welcoming the decision of the Chinese and Indian governments to allow their Navies to hold the first-ever joint naval exercises later this year, Ma said the move would boost mutual understanding and trust between the two neighbouring nations, especially since the two sides have reached wide-ranging consensus during the recent visit to Beijing by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.