Cabinet approves five agreements between India and China

New Delhi, Jan 18 (UNI) Ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Jan 12-15 visit to Beijing, the Union Cabinet today gave approval for signing of five agreements to promote co-operation between the two countries, including those relating to railways, housing sector and traditional medicines.

The Cabinet also approved an MoU between India and China for co-operation in the field of geosciences and matters relating to land resource management, land administration, resettlement and rehabilitation.

The Agreements are slated for signing during the Prime Minister's visit.

In the Rail sector, the MoU will help promote cooperation between Chinese Railways and Indian Railways. It will be valid for 3 years.

The MoU for cooperation in land resource management, land administration, resettlement and rehabilitation will help build mutual cooperation based on the "principles of equality, mutual benefit and reciprocity" on these matters.

The MoU in the housing sector is intended to provide a "basic framework" for cooperation in the area.

The MOU on geosciences will provide an "institutional mechanism" for promotion of co-operation between the two countries in the field.

The agreement on Traditional Medicine will provide a legal framework for cooperation among the two countries and adoption of common strategies for global positioning of these systems.

UNI GS RP RS1543