Beijing, June 23: Signalling a new era in bilateral relations, India and China today signed nine accords, including those on simplifying visa procedures, enhancing cooperation on renewable energy and increasing contacts in the field of law and justice. China also pledged an investment of 500 million US dollars for infrastructure development and resource building in India and agreed to a plan of action for economic cooperation between the two countries.
This was stated by the External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha after hour-long talks between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao at the Great Hall of the People here.
Sinha told reporters that the Chinese side sought cooperation in the area of public finance and the need for setting up a mechanism for a dialogue in this regard. Sinha said that the Chinese premier made eight significant points to enhance ties between the two countries that included mutual understanding and trust and greater people to people contact.
Sinha said the two sides discussed the Kailash Mansarovar yatra, which is scheduled to start next month as also opening of additional routes for it and improving facilities for Indian pilgrims on the Tibetan side.
During their wide-ranging talks, Vajpayee and Wen explored the possibility of boosting the trade potential. The Chinese premier said that the pledged 500 million US dollars would also be utilised in setting up various projects in India, Sinha said.
China also stressed on the cooperation between the two neighbours at international and multilateral fora besides increasing cultural exchanges.
Both the leaders, he said agreed that the 50th anniversary of “Panchsheel”, the five principles of peaceful co-existence, should be observed with "great elan" and the respective foreign offices would work out a detail plan, he said. Bureau Report