Premier's visit to fuel economic cooperation
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Premier Li Keqiang is welcomed by Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, E. Ahmed, on his arrival at Palam Airport in New Delhi on Sunday. [Photo/Xinhua] |
Premier Li Keqiang arrived in New Delhi on Sunday afternoon on his first overseas visit since taking office, accompanied by a large business delegation.
The visit will help link the two huge emerging markets, which together can become an engine of the world economy if they can take advantage of each other's development, analysts have said.
Calling India "an important partner and friend", Li said in his statement released upon arrival that interests between China and India have become further intertwined. Later on Sunday he met with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.
The visit came days after China and India peacefully ended a three-week border standoff, which was followed by both countries committing to deepen relations amid the visit to Beijing this month of Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Li is scheduled to meet with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and give a speech on Beijing's ties with New Delhi. He will also go to the commercial hub Bombay.
Beijing said a basket of cooperation documents will be signed during the visit.
China is India's second-largest trading partner, and India is China's largest trading partner in South Asia. Bilateral trade reached $6.65 billion in 2012 and is expected to reach $100 billion by 2015.
Vice-Foreign Minister Song Tao said last week that by choosing India as the first destination of Li's overseas visit, Beijing has shown the high importance it attaches to its relations with its large neighbor.
The visit has become a hot topic in India.
Hindustan Times said in an article titled Let's Dance with the Dragon on May 17 that the "Indian industry looks forward to the visit ... which is expected to deliver significant results, especially as it is the new head's first overseas tour".
"India and China stand at a historic juncture where global affairs are transforming. Innovative cooperation mechanisms, especially in economic engagement, could stimulate a new sustainable partnership within this changed context," the newspaper said.
"While President Xi Jinping chose to visit Russia on his way to the BRICS summit in March, Li chose India to be his first destination abroad to send a message of the commitment of the new leadership to further friendly relations with New Delhi," Press Trust of India wrote on May 13.
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