Brasilia: Observing that India-China
cooperation was important for peace and stability in the
region and beyond, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President
Hu Jintao today decided to push further their strategic
partnership and agreed to give greater market access to each
others products to boost trade.
At the talks between Singh and Hu here, there was no
reference to contentious issues like China giving stapled
visas to Kashmiris and participating in developmental projects
in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, with the spokesman saying such
matters were taken up by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna
when he travelled to Beijing from April 5 to 8.
The two sides agreed that the Special Representatives
would meet as early as possible to discuss the boundary
question, pending whose resolution the two countries would
maintain peace and tranquillity along the border.
The Prime Minister introduced to the Chinese President
National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon, who was nominated
as the new Special Representative of India about three weeks
back, succeeding M K Narayanan.
During the 45-minute meeting, it was emphasised that
India and China were not competitors but partners, External
Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash told reporters.
Hu said he agreed with Singh`s remarks that the world
was large enough to accommodate the aspirations of both India
and China.
Both sides were of the view that cooperation and
friendship between India and China would be a "win-win"
situation and beneficial for peace, stability and prosperity
of the region and world at large, Prakash said while giving
details of the conversation.
The two leaders noted that the Strategic and
Cooperative Partnership between the two countries had gained
in strength.
The Prime Minister said India was fully committed to
taking it forward, Prakash said. Hu responded by expressing
the similar desire.
Chinese Special Representative for the boundary talks
Dai Bingguo was also present at the meeting. The two sides
have already held 13 rounds of Special Representative-level
talks.
Singh and Hu decided to expand and deepen cooperation
and identified defence, education, science and technology,
hi-technology, agriculture besides trade and investment
sectors in this regard.
The two leaders noted that trade and investment was
"one of the cores" and "a key pillar" of bilateral relations
and said both sides were encouraging their companies to invest
more in each other`s nation.
In this regard, the two leaders agreed to facilitate
greater access to their markets, the MEA spokesman said.
Bilateral trade between India and China has jumped
hugely from USD one billion in 2001 to USD 52 billion in 2008.
The volume of trade dipped to USD 43 billion in 2009 because
of the global economic slowdown but it bounced back by 50 per
cent in the first two months of the current financial year.
However, trade imbalance to the tune of USD 15.8
billion in favour of China is one of the issues of concern for
India and efforts are being made to correct it.
Both sides optimistic that 60 billion trade target
would be achieved.
They agreed to remain in touch on international issues
like climate change and terrorism, which affects both the
countries and world at large. Also agreed to continue
coordination at G-20 and Doha Round of talks.
India wants rapid growth in balanced trade and this
has been conveyed to China, which is appreciative of this and
has agreed to work towards it.
-PTI
