The Hindu : Front Page : Satisfied with momentum: Hu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 22, 2006
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Satisfied with momentum: Hu

Amit Baruah

Says the relationship is of "global significance"; to celebrate "friendship through tourism" year in 2007

— Photo: V. Sudershan

GRAND WELCOME: Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongquing being welcomed by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the ceremonial reception at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday.

NEW DELHI: Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Tuesday that both China and India were "fully confident" about the "future of their relationship," and willing to work together to facilitate the all-round development of their strategic and cooperative partnership agreed to in April 2005.

Addressing presspersons in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Hyderabad House, Mr. Hu said both Dr. Singh and he were "satisfied with the growth momentum" of their relationship.

Both China and India were major developing countries, and their relationship was of "global significance" in bilateral, regional and international dimensions. According to him, the two shared "broad and sustained interests."

To expand cooperation

The Chinese President took the view that the countries needed to carry their friendship forward and work "hand-in-hand" for peace and development in Asia and the world at large.

"We have decided to further expand and deepen cooperation in trade, finance, information, energy, science and technology, agriculture, human resource development, education and other fields."

Mr. Hu said the countries had also decided to celebrate the China-India "friendship through tourism" year in 2007.

Beijing would invite 500 young people from India in the next five years as per an agreed plan.

He reiterated the formulation contained in the joint declaration that an early settlement of the boundary question would serve the fundamental interests of China and India, and represented a "common strategic objective" for both.

"The two sides agreed to continue their efforts to intensify their work and follow the spirit enshrined in the political guiding principles for the settlement of the boundary question, and explore and find a framework that is fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable."

"Pending an eventual solution to the boundary question, the two sides need to continue their efforts to work together to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas," Mr. Hu added.

"Accelerate efforts"

Dr. Singh said President Hu and he appreciated the progress made by the Special Representatives in their discussions on the boundary question.

"We are asking them to accelerate their efforts to arrive at a boundary settlement on the basis of the Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles signed in April last year. ... Such a settlement will invest our strategic partnership with further strength and dynamism."

"At the fulcrum of our efforts is our collective political will to enrich and reinforce our strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity, and to resolve our outstanding issues in a focussed, sincere and problem-solving manner," he said.

Tackling global issues

"Jointly, our two countries can make effective contributions in dealing with global issues of sustainable and equitable development, energy security, peace and prosperity in Asia and the world, environment protection, and the fight against terrorism and cross-border crimes," Dr. Singh said.