India, China ties under constructive phase: PM, Hu

Berlin, June 7: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today held talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao and reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations which had gained momentum in November last year following the 10-pronged strategy announced by the two leaders.

In their brief statements before going into the talks, which lasted 35 minutes, Dr Singh and Mr Hu said the bilateral ties were going through a ''constructive phase.'' Dr Singh said a delegation of about 100 youths, led by Panchayati Raj and Youth Affairs Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, would visit China under an exchange programme to promote people-to-people contact and to learn from each other's experience at the local bodies' level.

The Prime Miniser said the 10-point programme, which included maintenance of peace and tranquility on the border and raising the two-way trade to 40 billion dollars by 2010, would deepen the bilateral relations and benefit the people in the two countries.

Mr Hu lauded Dr Singh for his insight and vision in taking the initiative for strengthening the relations.

The Prime Minister said that regardless of the political affiliation, the Indian government was committed to strengthening the bilateral ties with China.

Dr Singh was assisted by National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon at the talks.

The two leaders are understood to have discussed the boundary dispute, which was being negotiated for an amicable resolution by Special Representatives Narayanan and the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo.

Dr Singh's proposed visit to China later this year also figured at the talks.

The proposed visit of Dr Singh to China later this year come up at the discussions close on the heels of the diplomatic spat after Beijing's refusal to issue visa to an IAS officer of the Arunachal Pradesh cadre. Following the visa refusal, India called off the proposed visit of over 100 IAS officials to China for a mid-career training.

The new Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi subsequently, conveyed to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee that mere presence of populated areas would not affect Chinese claims on Arunachal Pradesh.

Dr Singh and Mr Hu are also reviewed the trade and economic relationship, including the possibility of establishing a regional trade arrangement between the two Asian giants.

India-China bilateral trade crossed 25 billion dollars last year against the target of 40 billion dollars by 2010, set under the 10-point strategy.

Under the strategy, the two countries have also agreed to maintain peace and tranquility on the boundary and enhance cultural and educational relations. Trade through the border areas would be given a boost. The two neighbours have also opened new consulates.

Dr Singh and Mr Hu are here to attend tomorrow's summit meeting of G8 leaders with their counterparts from the five outreach nations (O-5) at Heiligendamm, the Baltic resort, about two hours drive from here.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to have bilateral meetings today with Nigerian President Umar Musa Yar'adua and Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

He will also attend a meeting of O-5 leaders, being organised by Mexico, this evening before the five leaders leave for Heiligendamm for the G8-O5 summit tomorrow.

The G8-O5 summit will focus on innovation and IPR protection, investment liberalisation and social responsibility, energy and climate change, development issues especially Africa's development.

UNI