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Sino-Indian panel to draw up plan for closer economic cooperation
-by Vikas Khanna

          Beijing, June 24: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Tuesday called for deeper economic ties between the world's two most populous countries. Addressing a room packed with Chinese and Indian business leaders in Beijing, Vajpayee said the two countries still had much to do to realise the full potential of "our partnership." "We have, first and foremost, to bridge the information gap between the business communities of our two countries. There has to be far greater exposure in each country of the opportunities available in the other. This would help to diversify our trade basket," said Vajpayee.

          The two countries have decided to make a concerted effort to move economic cooperation to greater heights. India and China have decided to form a joint study group of economists and officials from both the countries to review the level of existing cooperation, identify new areas of promise and draw up a comprehensive perspective plan for further development of a multi-faceted economic interaction. Expressing satisfaction at the economic cooperation between the two countries, Vajpayee said the bilateral trade target of 10 billion dollars was likely to be attained before the targetted 2005. Last year, during the visit to India, the then Chinese premier Zhu Rongji had said that trade between China and India could hit 10 billion dollars in the near future if the two sides learned from each other. The extent of cooperation between India and China is not commensurate with the respective strengths of the two countries. The bilateral trade stands at only five billion dollars.

          Vajpayee also said the differences between the two countries on border and other issues should not hinder closer dialogue and cooperation. "There was a period in the India-China relationship when our pre- occupation with our differences prevented a pragmatic understanding of the mutual benefits from cooperation. Our present course of developing all-round bilateral cooperation, while simultaneously addressing our differences, has transformed the quality of our relationship," he said. Indian business leaders said Vajpayee's visit was a major breakthrough as several pending negotiations have been completed, which include opening of border trade and easy visa regime. China's fast growing economy offered an attractive export market to India as it opens up to international trade, according to them.

US pleased with Vajpayee's China success (Go To Top)

          Washington, June 24: The US State Department has expressed pleasure at Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's historic visit to China. It is the first such visit by an Indian Prime Minister in ten years. A State Department official told ANI the US is "happy to see India and China working to improve and strengthen their ties. Two of the most important countries in Asia should have good relations". On the first full day of Vajpayee's visit, he and his Chinese counterpart, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, signed a draft of documents aimed at ending decades of frosty relations between the two countries.

 

'Someone' is suspicious of my China visit, says Vajpayee (Go To Top)
-by Vikas Khanna

          Beijing, June 24: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Tuesday said the growing Sino-Indian ties were not against any third country. However, without naming Pakistan, Vajpayee said "someone is suspicious of my China visit". He was speaking at a banquest hosted by Indian ambassador to China Shivshankar Menon. "The India-China friendship is not against any third country. This friendship is complete in itself," added Vajpayee. While India and China are trying to mend their relations, Pakistan has been a key ally of China. India accuses China of supplying nuclear know-how to its arch- rival Pakistan.

          Vajpayee, on a six-day visit to China, concluded his talks with top Chinese leadership. The two countries have signed a historic declaration on principles for relations and comprehensive cooperation and a memorandum on expanding border trade during Vajpayee's visit. The two documents are being described a major breakthrough as they commit the two countries to promote the development of friendly relations while addressing their problems simultaneously.

          The relations between India and China, which fought a savage war in 1962, have improved significantly in recent years. The bilateral trade between the two countries, which stands at five billion dollars, is likely to touch the 10 billion dollars mark by 2005. Vajpayee said India wanted friendly relations with all its neighbours.

          While complimenting the Indian ambassador to China, Shivshankar Menon, Vajpayee said his new job will require more hard work. Menon will soon take over as Indian high commissioner to Pakistan after India and Pakistan decided to resume diplomatic ties, snapped after an attack on parliament by terrorists late in December 1991. "Our ambassador is leaving China. He has done a very good job here. But we are now sending him to a place where he will get more opportunities to work better. We want friendship with all our neighbours," said Vajpayee evoking laughter. There has been a thaw in relations between India and Pakistan after Vajpayee extended a hand of friendship to Islamabad in April and offered talks.