Xi Jinping Holds Talks with President Pranab Mukherjee of India
Both Sides Agree to Enhance China-India Comprehensive
Cooperation to Push Bilateral Strategic Cooperative Partnership to a New Height
On May 26, 2016, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with President Pranab Mukherjee of India. The two heads of state agreed to make joint efforts to carry forward the tradition of mutual learning between Chinese and Indian civilizations, strengthen China-India comprehensive cooperation, push China-India strategic cooperative partnership to a new height, and facilitate the common development of both sides, so as to make greater contributions to regional and world peace and prosperity.
Xi Jinping pointed out that in recent years, China-India relations have entered in a new period of rapid development. Both sides have agreed to deepen China-India strategic cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity, and build a closer development partnership between the two countries. In this regard, the two sides have made comprehensive strategic plans and defined cooperation frameworks. At present, China and India should grasp the general orientation of the development of China-India relations, stick to the theme of good-neighbourliness and friendship as well as mutually beneficial cooperation, expand cooperation areas between both countries, and foster more growth points, so as to make China-India relations develop in a faster and better manner and bring more benefits to the two peoples.
Xi Jinping stressed that the two countries should consolidate the footstone of political mutual trust. Leaders of both countries should maintain strategic communication and improve the top-level design of China-India relations. The two sides should make good use of various bilateral dialogue mechanisms, and enhance mutual understanding and trust. Both countries should tap the potential for practical cooperation, push for early harvest from cooperation in such areas as railways, industrial park, and smart city, discuss to realize advantage complementarity in new energy, energy conservation and environment protection, information technology, human resources and other areas, and strengthen cooperation in such fields as production capacity, investment, tourism, services and trade. Both sides should tighten the bond of people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and continue to actively implement cultural exchange plans between China and India. China stands ready to discuss with India to simplify various procedures to facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries and strengthen local communication. China and India need to strive for expanding cooperation in security, law-enforcement and other areas, so as to promote the common security of both countries. The two sides should appropriately resolve relevant disputes. The Chinese side is appreciative of India's adherence to the One-China policy.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and India should positively treat and support each other in participating in regional and international affairs, strengthen coordination and cooperation and jointly become protectors for peace in the region and even the world as well as advocators of regional integration. Both sides should support each other, and closely coordinate to make successes of this year's G20 Summit and BRICS Summit. The Chinese side is willing to discuss with the Indian side about the docking of the "Act East" initiative with the "Belt and Road” initiative. China and India should advance the construction of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar economic corridor to achieve substantial progress as soon as possible, jointly make the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank a professional and efficient financing platform and conclude the negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership at an early date.
Pranab Mukherjee expressed that both India and China are countries with ancient civilizations, emerging economies and major powers in the world. India-China traditional good-neighbourliness and friendship has extensive public support and all political parties in India support developing relations with China. President Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to India in 2014, initiating a closer India-China development partnership. At present, relations between the two countries have exceeded the bilateral range, and India-China cooperation could promote peace, prosperity and development of the two countries and the world. The Indian side stands ready to further deepen bilateral relations, expand cooperation in such fields as trade and investment with the Chinese side, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges and conduct close communication and coordination in international affairs. The Indian side appreciates the Chinese side for supporting the accession of India and Pakistan to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Before the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for Pranab Mukherjee at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhang Baowen, State Councilor Yang Jiechi, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Wang Zhengwei and others were present.
