From correspondents in Delhi, India, 04:03 PM IST

US Pacific Commander Admiral Robert F. Willard Friday said that the US-China military engagement 'lags behind' and there is a need to give a push to bilateral defence ties.

'The US-China military engagement lags behind. We intend to improve military dialogue with China,' Willard told reporters here.

However, Willard termed the idea of an India-China-US trilateral forum to guard the Pacific region as 'premature'.

In a bid to give impetus to the US-China bilateral ties, President Barack Obama visited Beijing in November. But the military level engagement between the two countries has been negligible.

India has been continuously engaging US and Chinese military at all levels.

Indian and US armies and air forces have recently concluded joint exercises in India. And the Chinese army also conducted an exercise in India earlier this year.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)