Singh, Hu to hold bilateral talks

Berlin, June 7 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao here later today to review the bilateral ties in the light of the 10-pronged strategy announced during Mr Hu's visit to India in November last year.

The two leaders are expected to touch upon the boundary issue and assess the progress made by the two special representatives, National Security Advisor M K Narayanan and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo who have been tasked with finding a fair and mutually acceptable solution to the dispute.

The proposed visit of Dr Singh to China later this year would also come up at the discussions being held 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 expected to review 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