PM Singh's visit to deepen strategic ties: China

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s upcoming visit will deepen the strategic relationship between the two countries, China said on Tuesday, adding that it was necessary for the two emerging countries and economies to cooperate on major international issues

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s upcoming visit will deepen the strategic relationship between the two countries, China said on Tuesday, adding that it was necessary for the two emerging countries and economies to cooperate on major international issues

Singh is slated to reach Beijing on the evening of October 22, hold a series of meetings with top Chinese leaders and address the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) Central Party School before flying out two days later.

Singh will hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on October 23. It is likely that two sides sign key agreements like Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA).

This will be the first time that prime ministerial bilateral visits are happening in the same year since 1954. Premier Li Keqiang visited India in May. It was his first visit to a foreign country after taking over as the Premier.

“This (the visit) would be of great significance to deepen China-India strategic partnership. During this visit Chinese leaders will meet and have talks with PM Singh and in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern,” Hua Chunying, foreign ministry spokesperson, said Tuesday.

On the boundary question and the recent visa-related controversy, Hua said that the competent authorities were in “communication and leaders of the two sides have (arrived at a) consensus to ensure tranquillity at the border area. At present border area is present and peaceful. We hope this situation can be sustained and avoid boundary question from hampering China-India relations,” Hua said.

Hua added that China and India were the two most important developing countries and emerging economies in the world.

“Bilateral-relations is assuming strategic significance and global influence. Over the years China-India relations have developed well, in particular Premier Li Keqiang’s visit had yielded fruitful results laying a foundation for furthering China-India strategic cooperation and partnership,” Hua said.

She added: “We are ready to work with Indian side to enhance cooperation with Indian side and strengthen coordination on major international and regional issues and further advance China-India strategic cooperative partnership.”

Hua said that there are “great prospects” for the two countries to engage in trade and economic cooperation.

She added that during Premier Li’s the two countries had agreed to cooperate to build industrial parks.

“The aim is to develop clustered development platform for the businesses of the two countries. China is stands ready to strengthen cooperation with the Indian side to expand market for our respective businesses and to facilitate investments,” she said.

On whether China will expand investment to reduce trade deficit between the two countries, she said China does not intentionally seek a trade deficit with India. “We are ready step up trade volume with India to improve quality to strike dynamic balance.”