True Asian century will come only when India, China develop: President Xi

New Delhi: India and China have agreed to widen the scope of their strategic and cooperative partnership as development of both the countries is central to Asia’s prosperity and stability, the visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping said today.

“Mr Modi and I have had a comprehensive and in-depth exchange of views and reached broad consensus on bilateral ties and major issues of mutual interest. We are thinking very much along the same line on many issues. We have agreed to substantiate the strategic and cooperative partnership between our two countries and forge an even closer partnership for development,” Xi said at an event.

Quoting a Chinese leader, Xi said: “The true Asian century only comes when China and India are both developed … When India and China come together it will be a big event for Asia and even the world.

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“As the two largest countries in Asia, China and India have on our shoulders a historic responsibility and the mandate of the time to maintain peace and stability in Asia and achieve its prosperity and rejuvenation”.

Xi started the New Delhi leg of his three-day visit to India with a ceremonial reception being accorded to him at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan here this morning, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unrolled a grand welcome for him on his home turf breaking from protocol, to set the stage for today’s summit talks.

“Prime Minister Modi has told me that China and India are two bodies in one spirit. He made that remark when we attended the BRICS Summit in Brazil. These words reveal the kind and peace-loving nature shared by our two great civilisations and the intrinsic connection between us,” Xi said.

Besides, India today signed a 5-year trade and economic cooperation agreement with China with a view to improve the trade balance and obtain $20 billion Chinese investment into the country.

The ‘Five year Trade and Economic Development Plan’ was signed by Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Chinese counterpart Gao Hucheng in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting President Xi Jinping.

The agreement lays down a medium term roadmap for promoting balanced and sustainable development of economic and trade relations between China and India, on the principle of equality and mutual benefit.

PTI