Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) the topics discussed at the Sino-Indo talks recently held at Beijing where Prime Minister recently visited; and

(b) the details of agreements signed and/ or the decisions taken?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE)

(a) – (b) Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh visited China from 13 to 15 January 2008. PM held official talks with Premier Wen Jiabao and had separate meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, Wu Bangguo.

PM and Premier Wen Jiabao signed a joint document on ‘A Shared Vision for the 21st Century between the Republic of India and People’s Republic of China’. They also witnessed signing of ten other documents covering cooperation in various fields, namely: for Cooperation between the Planning Commission and National Development and Reform Commission of China; on Cooperation between the two Ministries of Railways; MoU between Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation of India and Ministry of Construction, PRC; for Cooperation in Land Resource Management, Land Administration and Rehabilitation; MoU on Joint Medical Mission to commemorate the Indian Medical Mission to China between Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC); MoU for cooperation between ICCR and CPAFFC; on Cooperation in the area of Geo-sciences; on Cooperation in traditional medicine; MoU on mutual cooperation between NABARD and Agricultural Development Bank of China; and Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Tobacco Leaves from India to China. Both sides agreed that India-China relations are of regional and global significance. They recognised their ‘significant historical responsibility to ensure comprehensive, balanced and sustainable economic and social development of the two countries and to promote peace and development in Asia and the world as a whole. India-China relations are not targeted at any country, nor will it affect their friendship with other countries.’
Both sides agreed to intensify further high-level exchanges between the leaders of the two countries. Both sides agreed that the Foreign Ministers of India and China will exchange visits in 2008. They also agreed to continue deepening the mutual understanding and trust between the armed forces and welcomed the successful conclusion of the first joint military training exercise and agreed to hold a second exercise in India in 2008. It was decided to increase the bilateral trade target from 40 billion US dollars by 2010 to 60 billion US dollars. The two Prime Ministers mandated their Ministers of Commerce to examine the Feasibility Study on the benefits of a Regional Trading Arrangement and make recommendations at an early date. It was also decided to establish a high-level Business Leaders Forum to advise the two Prime Ministers on the future of economic ties. PM conveyed India’s appreciation for China’s assistance in providing flood season data for some trans-border rivers.

Both leaders agreed to expand cooperation in this area through the Expert Level Mechanism. In pursuance of the India-China Science & Technology Partnership agreed during the visit of Chinese President to India in November 2006, both sides have now identified earthquake engineering, disaster management, climate change, biotechnology and nano sciences as areas for further cooperation in the priority area of science and technology.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the progress made by the Special Representatives in seeking a framework for settlement of the boundary question that is fair, reasonable, mutually acceptable, and based on the agreement on Guiding Principles and Political Parameters signed in April 2005. While the SRs continue their efforts, both sides reiterated their mutual commitment to maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas. PM’s visit has led to a broadening of our functional cooperation in bilateral areas and to the deepening of mutual understanding between our two countries.