Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called for increased people-to-people interaction between India and China while advocating a favourable trade balance. He said China is willing to launch a regional trading arrangement with India for the progress of the two countries and of South and East Asia.
Addressing a meeting of the representatives of Indian Trade and Industry in New Delhi today, he said India and China have the potential to address trade imbalance. Stating that China has never intended to seek trade surplus, he said only a systematic trade balance would be sustainable to both the countries. Pitching for grater synergy between the markets of both the countries, Chinese Premier pointed out if the markets of the two countries are connected, it will be conducive for New Delhi and Bejing to create a new dynamism to global economy. He asserted that economic cooperation constituted an important part of Sino-Indian relationship and the growth potential of the two countries provide engines for the growth of world economy. He said that India and China have decided to declare 2014 as the year of exchanges between the two nations to boost the understanding and friendship.
Mr. Li said Beijing will support Chinese enterprises to increase investments in India and help Indian products to have access to Chinese market. He said China's rich infrastructure experience can be of great help to India, which is planning to invest heavily in the infrastructure development.
On border issue, the Chinese premier said New Delhi and Beijing have the wisdom to find mutually acceptable solution to the problem and the two countries have not shied away from addressing the issue.
On the issue of trans-border rivers, Mr Li assured Chinese assistance of hydrological technology to India and also in handling emergencies in a humanitarian spirit.
Mr. Li favoured peace and stability in the South-East Asia region and hoped the relevant issues will be resolved soon. He said peaceful co-existence between India and China will be of global significance and they should seek close cooperation. He said the cooperation between the two countries will induct a new dynamism in their relations. He applauded India's growing stature in world affairs and pledged Chinese support on India's position at the UN.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid described the Chinese Premier's visit as historic. He said Mr Li had fruitful discussions with the Indian leaders. He said India and China cooperation is charting a new path in areas of global governance, negotiations on climate change, energy and food security.
