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High-level visits to strengthen Sino-Indian ties: Iyer
Foreign secretary Chokila Iyer has said that India and China would have high-level exchange of visits to provide further momentum to bilateral ties.
Foreign secretary Chokila Iyer has said that India and China would have high-level exchange of visits to provide further momentum to bilateral ties.
Both sides have agreed that the present momentum in our bilateral relations should be maintained and enhanced, including through further high-level exchanges, Iyer told journalists during her recent visit in Beijing. Over the last two years, relations between India and China have been progressing well and we have a number of high-level visits, expected during the course of the year, which will give further impetus to bilateral relationship, she said after discussions with the Chinese foreign office.
Several ministerial visits are scheduled between the two countries, ahead of the planned visit to India by Chinese premier Zhu Rongji later this year. Both sides are finalising plans for the visit of Power Minister Suresh Prabhu while Chinese minister for information industry Wu Jichaun is also slated to visit India.
She said the two sides also decided to hold the first meeting of the recently constituted India-China Eminent Persons Group (EPG) in New Delhi in September.
While the Indian side of the EPG will be led by former minister of state for foreign affairs R L Bhatia, Chinese team will be headed by former vice foreign minister Liu Shuqing. The decision to form the EPG was taken during President K R Narayanan's state visit to China last year.
China considers that the EPG will be another important channel for promoting bilateral exchanges and cooperation. It will strengthen mutual understanding and trust between the two nations, A foreign ministry official said.
Bureau Report
Both sides have agreed that the present momentum in our bilateral relations should be maintained and enhanced, including through further high-level exchanges, Iyer told journalists during her recent visit in Beijing. Over the last two years, relations between India and China have been progressing well and we have a number of high-level visits, expected during the course of the year, which will give further impetus to bilateral relationship, she said after discussions with the Chinese foreign office.
Several ministerial visits are scheduled between the two countries, ahead of the planned visit to India by Chinese premier Zhu Rongji later this year. Both sides are finalising plans for the visit of Power Minister Suresh Prabhu while Chinese minister for information industry Wu Jichaun is also slated to visit India.
She said the two sides also decided to hold the first meeting of the recently constituted India-China Eminent Persons Group (EPG) in New Delhi in September.
While the Indian side of the EPG will be led by former minister of state for foreign affairs R L Bhatia, Chinese team will be headed by former vice foreign minister Liu Shuqing. The decision to form the EPG was taken during President K R Narayanan's state visit to China last year.
China considers that the EPG will be another important channel for promoting bilateral exchanges and cooperation. It will strengthen mutual understanding and trust between the two nations, A foreign ministry official said.
Bureau Report