Beijing:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Beijing today and has got down to business. After a ceremonial welcome at the Great Hall of People, he held talks with Chinese premier Li Keqiang. India and China also signed a number of business agreements.
The two leaders made a joint statement after signing the agreements. Here are the highlights:
Premier Li speaks:- We will serve as two engines for Asia
- If a truly Asian century will dawn it will depend on whether India and China can overcome difficulties and modernise
- We need to further strengthen our political trust, need more communication
- We need to seize the opportunity
- Trade volume is not that big between India and China
- Need to balance trade
- We do not deny we have some differences but we can manage and handle our disputes so that they don't affect growth of ties
- Need to keep up momentum of talks on boundary
- Need to uphold peace and tranquility on border
PM Modi speaks:- I am very grateful to President Xi Jinping for special gesture of hosting me in Xian and for showing me city's extraordinary heritage
- I am pleased to visit China in the first year of my government. This is one of our most important strategic partnerships
- We have a historic responsibility to turn this relationship into a source of strength for each other and a force of good for the world
- Our conversations were candid, constructive and friendly. We covered all issues including those that trouble smooth development of relations
- On the boundary question, we agreed that we continue to explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution.
- We agreed that as we move ahead, we should should be sensitive to each other's interests and strengthen mutual trust and confidence
- Our decision to open consulates in Chengdu and Chennai reflects growing mutual confidence and shared commitment to expand relationships
- We have set high level of ambition for our economic partnership
- This has been a very productive and positive visit. I look forward to working with President Xi and Premier Li.