NEW DELHI, 22 November 2006 — Asian giants China and India declared yesterday that there was enough room for both to become global powers and pledged to double trade between the countries by 2010.
The first Chinese president to visit India in a decade, Hu was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan. He and his wife were received there by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Hu and Manmohan held wide-ranging talks, lasting around 100 minutes, during which they agreed on a 10-pronged strategy to intensify cooperation in all areas and to give “greater content” to their strategic partnership.
At a joint press conference with the Chinese president, Manmohan described their talks as cordial, open and constructive.
“President Hu and I have agreed that the positive development of India-China relations in recent years must be made irreversible.” To further expand their ties, “cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear energy will be promoted,” Manmohan said.
To enhance people-to-people and cultural ties, several initiatives have been agreed on. This includes marking “India-China Year of friendship through Tourism in 2007” and beginning a five-year program for exchange of youth delegations.
“There is enough space for two countries to develop together in a mutually supportive manner while remaining sensitive to each other’s concerns and aspirations, as befits good neighbors and partners for mutual benefit,” the prime minister asserted.
Expressing satisfaction over the current relationship, Hu said that both countries shared broad and sustained common interests. “As China and India are true friends... the two countries need to carry forward the friendship in the long run, work hand in hand for common development and promotion of peace and development in Asia and the world at large,” Hu said.
The strategy to intensify cooperation and enhance strategic ties includes:
1. Ensuring comprehensive development of bilateral relations;
2. Strengthening institutional linkages and dialogue mechanisms;
3. Increasing bilateral trade to $40 billion by 2010;
4. Expanding all-round mutually beneficial cooperation,
5. Instilling mutual trust and confidence through defense cooperation;
6. Seeking early settlement of outstanding issues (including boundary differences) through peaceful means;
7. Promoting trans-border connectivity and cooperation;
8. Boosting cooperation in science and technology;
9. Revitalizing cultural ties and nurture people-to-people exchanges; and
10. Expanding cooperation on regional and international stage.
India and China also signed 13 agreements, including the ones for enhancing trade and strengthening diplomatic ties. The agreements, protocols and memorandums of understanding were signed by the ministers concerned in the presence of Premier Manmohan Singh and President Hu.
An agreement for promotion and protection of investments will create “favorable conditions for investors of one country to make investments in the other” and “contribute to strengthening of economic engagement between the two countries,” officials said.
A protocol on the establishment of consulates-general at Guangzhou and Kolkata was also signed.
Despite the optimistic tone, the summit failed to break any new ground, resulting only in the settling of some minor disputes between the two countries.
