PM leaves for China, to work out roadmap for upgrading ties

New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tonight left for China for a three-day visit, expressing confidence that his trip would deepen mutual trust, work out a roadmap for upgrading bilateral economic ties and set a “new milestone” for Asia and developing nations.

Modi, who is undertaking his first visit to China as Prime Minister, will reach the ancient city of Xi’an, the home town of President Xi Jinping, for a summit meeting, an unusual departure from normal protocol and seen as a reciprocal gesture by the Chinese leader who was hosted by Modi in Ahmedabad when he visited India in September last year.

“I am looking forward to the trip to China… the 21st century belongs to Asia,” the Prime Minister told Chinese media ahead of his visit that will also take him to Mongolia and South Korea.

The Prime Minister, who is accompanied by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and senior officials, hoped that his visit will “further deepen” India-China relations and set a “new milestone” for Asia and developing countries.

“I believe that my trip to China will not only deepen the China-India friendship, but also set a new milestone for the relations between developing countries in Asia as well as around the world. There is no doubt about that,” he told state-run CCTV ahead of this visit.

Modi said he wants to focus on how India and China can further strengthen mutual trust and confidence, so as to realise the full potential of the relationship.

“I look forward to working out a roadmap for qualitatively upgrading our economic relations and seek greater Chinese participation in India’s economic growth, especially in transforming India’s manufacturing sector and infrastructure,” he said.

The Prime Minister said he believes the relationship between India and China can be one of the most important relationships of the century.

“I intend to work with the Chinese leadership to lay the foundation for this,” state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Modi as saying.

He said India and China have made great progress in bilateral relations in recent years and managed their differences with patience and maturity.

Faced with irritants like the boundary issue and China’s plans for infrastructure projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Modi will have a tough task as he meets the Chinese leadership.

Modi noted that he had met President Xi three times during the last one year and held extensive talks on a wide range of issues.

During Modi’s stay in Beijing, the first meeting of the India-China State and Provincial Leaders’ Forum would be held attended by Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Gujarat Devendra Fadnavis and Anandiben Patel respectively.

The Prime Minister will also witness a Yoga-Tai Chi joint event at the Temple of Heaven and deliver a public address at the Tsinghua University in Beijing.

The Prime Minister will have a business stop at Shanghai where he will meet Chinese CEOs, visit the Fudan University where he will inaugurate the Centre for Gandhian Studies. He will also be addressing a community event in Shanghai.

On the second leg of his visit, Modi will reach Mongolia on May 17. “There is a rare honour being bestowed on our Prime Minister because this is for the first time on a holiday the Parliament of Mongolia is going to allow a foreign leader to speak and address the membership there,” said Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East).

The Prime Minister will meet Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj to strengthen bilateral cooperation in diverse areas.

The two sides will ink several agreements including one on application of nuclear technology for cancer cure, solar and wind energy, traditional systems of medicine and homeopathy, cyber security and other areas.

The Prime Minister will also attend a mini Naadam festival which includes display of horse racing, traditional wrestling and archery.

This will be the first ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Mongolia and takes place in the backdrop of celebrations of the 25th year of democracy in Mongolia and 60 years of its diplomatic relations with India.

Moving to South Korea on the last leg of his three-nation visit, Modi will meet President Park Geun-hye, followed by signing of several agreements including one on Double Taxation Avoidance Convention, shipping, transport, highways, electric power development and other areas. He will also address an Indian community reception.

Bilateral trade is currently at about USD 16 billion.

There are 300 Korean companies who have invested USD 3 billion in India and employ 40,000 workers. Indian investment in Korea is close to USD 2 billion and it is looking forward to greater access in Korea to pharmaceutical and IT products.

The Prime Minister returns to Delhi from Seoul on May 19.

PTI