Sonepat, Sep 20 (IANS): India and China are "fast moving economies and ... destined to compete with each other", a former Indian Army officer said Friday.

"India and China have unresolved issues and the current era is different from ancient and medieval times when our civilizations lacked conflicts," said Lt. Gen. (retired) S.P. Tanwar, former director general of military training.

"Understanding China is of paramount importance for us in India, and language and communication is the first step to understand China.

"As military leaders, we need to keep honing our skills in Mandarin to be able to deal better with the Chinese counterparts," he said.

Tanwar was delivering the valedictory address at the just ended four-week Mandarin language training programme at the O.P. Jindal Global University here.

The programme seeks to improve Mandarin language skills of the Indian Army officers. Eighteen senior army officials underwent the course.

The aim of the programme was to augment the officers’ verbal communication skills in Mandarin, to be gainfully utilized at diplomatic fora and during meetings with the Chinese military.