India and China today signed nine agreements and Memorandum of Understanding, MoUs following summit and delegation level talks at Beijing. These include Border Defence Cooperation, Management of Trans- Border Rivers and Establishment of Sister City Relationship between three Mega cities of the two countries.
AIR Correspondent covering Prime Minister`s visit reports that in the presence of Dr Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Li Kiqiang MoUs on Nalanda University, Cooperation in Road Transport and Highways and setting up of Chinese Power Equipments Service Centres in India were also signed at Great Hall of the People. A very cordial and friendly atmosphere prevailed at the signing ceremony. Body language of the two leaders was very encouraging as both of them were engaged in talking during the ceremony. Even while making statements to the media they were very cheerful and were having eye contacts with each other.
In his statement the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said the Agreement on Border Defence Cooperation will add to the existing instruments to ensure peace, stability and predictability on the borders. He said the two leaders, with a view to build mutual trust, agreed to enhance transparency and strengthen strategic communication at all levels. He said both the countries also decided to encourage and institutionalize greater exchanges between their armed forces.
Dr Manmohan Singh said the India and China agreed that the prosperity and progress of 2.5 billion Indian and Chinese people would be a major factor of Asian resurgence and global prosperity and stability. He said as part of strategic vision the two nations resolved to realize the full promise of their partnership and maintain the friendliest of relations.
Our Correspondent reports that from Indian Side Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, Defence Secretary RK Mathur and Indian Ambassador in Beijing Dr S Jaishankar signed the agreements and MoUs.
The Border Defence Cooperation Agreement reiterates that neither side shall use its military capability against the other side and that their respective military strengths shall not be used to attack the other side. It also reaffirms that neither side shall use or threaten to use force against the other side by any means nor seek unilateral superiority.
It also acknowledges the need to continue to maintain peace, stability and tranquility along the line of actual control in the India-China border areas and to continue implementing confidence building measures in the military field along the border.
