India, China seal 10-pt strategy, sign 13 accords

New Delhi, Nov 21: India and China today issued a Joint Declaration, announcing a 10-point strategy to upgrade their bilateral relations, which have assumed global significance, and signed 13 agreements in diverse fields.

The declaration came at the end of talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Following is the 10-point strategy:

* Ensuring comprehensive development of bilateral relations.

* Strengthening institutional linkages and dialogue mechanisms.

* Consolidating commercial and economic exchanges.

* Expanding all-round mutually beneficial cooperation.

* Instilling mutual trust and confidence through defence cooperation.

* Seeking early settlement of outstanding issues.

* Promoting trans-border connectivity and cooperation.

* Boosting cooperation in science and technology.

* Revitalising cultural ties and nurturing people-to-people exchanges.

* Expanding cooperation on regional and international stage.

Following are the 13 agreements:

* Protocol on the Establishment of Consulates-General at Guangzhou and Kolkata.

* Protocol on Cooperation between the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

* Agreement on the Issue of Property of the Consulate General of India in Shanghai.

* Agreement on Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion.

* Memorandum of Understanding on Inspection of Export Cargo (Iron Ore).

* Protocol on Phytosanitary Requirements for Exporting Rice from India to China.

* Memorandum of Understanding between Forward Markets Commission of India and China Securities Regulatory Commission regarding Commodity Futures Regulatory Cooperation.

* Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Indian Institute of Public Administration and the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China.

* Agreement on Forestry Cooperation.

* Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

* Exchange Programme on Cooperation in the Field of Education.

* Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage.

* Agreement on Preventing Theft, Clandestine Excavation and Illicit Import and Export of Cultural Property.

UNI