Chinese premier Li Keqiang made a resounding case for greater partnership between India and China, and, for the first time for any major leader from across the Himalayas, obliquely referred to India's burgeoning ties with the US, suggesting, without naming names, that it was a case of picking a distant relative over a neighbour.
"A country may choose its friends, but not its neighbours. As an ancient proverb says, a distant relative may not be as useful as a near neighbour. With a long border and extensive common interests, China and India should not seek cooperation from afar, while neglecting the partner close by," Li said.
He was addressing a gathering of businessmen at an event organised by the Indian Council for World Affairs and the industry body, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. This was his first public event since arriving in India on Sunday.
He said his talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were "candid, frank and fruitful", adding that the two sides did not shy away from discussing the border question and had agreed to push forward negotiation. The two countries had the "wisdom" to find a solution to the border question, he said. "A few clouds in the sky cannot shut out brilliant sun rays of our friendship," he said.
Li said he was confident that the persistent trade imbalance could be overcome and that a balanced trade relationship alone was sustainable. "I am confident that we have the ability to mitigate the trade imbalance between our two counties and China never has any intention to seek trade surplus." He said he will work on improving market access for Indian firms and that negotiations on a regional free-trade agreement will be pursued.
Li struck the right opening note by saying 'Namaste', and then adding that he hadn't had an opportunity to use the word in 27 years. He fondly recalled his visit to India as part of a youth delegation in 1986. "Twenty seven years ago I visited India and I was deeply impressed by India's vast territory, timehonoured civilisation as well as hardworking and talented people."
His frankness and easy body language that Indian diplomats had found remarkable was on display for everyone. He said Indian songs, movies and yoga were popular in China the way Chinese food and Kung Fu were popular here. "The most important outcomes of these meetings we had were that we have expanded our strategic mutual trust and reached a number of new positive outcomes," Li said. He illustrated the combined power of the two countries with an example: "If every one of our combined 2.5 billion population would buy a new mobile phone, it would blow up the order lists of IT manufacturers and operators in the world."
"A country may choose its friends, but not its neighbours. As an ancient proverb says, a distant relative may not be as useful as a near neighbour. With a long border and extensive common interests, China and India should not seek cooperation from afar, while neglecting the partner close by," Li said.
He was addressing a gathering of businessmen at an event organised by the Indian Council for World Affairs and the industry body, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. This was his first public event since arriving in India on Sunday.
He said his talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were "candid, frank and fruitful", adding that the two sides did not shy away from discussing the border question and had agreed to push forward negotiation. The two countries had the "wisdom" to find a solution to the border question, he said. "A few clouds in the sky cannot shut out brilliant sun rays of our friendship," he said.
Li said he was confident that the persistent trade imbalance could be overcome and that a balanced trade relationship alone was sustainable. "I am confident that we have the ability to mitigate the trade imbalance between our two counties and China never has any intention to seek trade surplus." He said he will work on improving market access for Indian firms and that negotiations on a regional free-trade agreement will be pursued.
Li struck the right opening note by saying 'Namaste', and then adding that he hadn't had an opportunity to use the word in 27 years. He fondly recalled his visit to India as part of a youth delegation in 1986. "Twenty seven years ago I visited India and I was deeply impressed by India's vast territory, timehonoured civilisation as well as hardworking and talented people."
His frankness and easy body language that Indian diplomats had found remarkable was on display for everyone. He said Indian songs, movies and yoga were popular in China the way Chinese food and Kung Fu were popular here. "The most important outcomes of these meetings we had were that we have expanded our strategic mutual trust and reached a number of new positive outcomes," Li said. He illustrated the combined power of the two countries with an example: "If every one of our combined 2.5 billion population would buy a new mobile phone, it would blow up the order lists of IT manufacturers and operators in the world."
Li with Kotnis Family
MUMBAI Li Keqiang paid tributes to the memory of a young Indian doctor who treated wounded and plague-stricken Chinese soldiers on battlefront. Li took a break from his schedule to meet the family members of Dwarkanath Kotnis.
'US, Don't be Jealous'
BEIJING As Li made a "successful" visit to India, a state-run daily took a dig at US saying Washington should not feel "jealous" over close Sino-Indian ties. 'People's Daily' also said India would not harm its ties with China to further US' interests
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