BEIJING, Jan 15 (Bernama) — Giving a strong push to their growing political and economic relations, India and China Monday pledged to promote bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy and to seek a “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution” to the vexed boundary dispute, Press Trust of India (PTI)reported. New Delhi declared its adherence to “one China” policy and Beijing supported India’s “aspirations” for a seat in the UN Security Council. Stepping up their defence ties, the two sides expressed satisfaction over the conclusion of the first joint military exercise between the two countries in Kunming in China last month and decided to hold the next exercise in India this year. They also raised the bilateral trade target from US$40 billion by 2010 to US$60 billion seeing the rapid increase in the volume. They welcomed the idea of a Regional Trading Arrangement and mandated the Commerce Ministers to examine the feasibility study on the benefits of RTA and make recommendations at an early date. After extensive “restricted meeting” and delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Premier Wen Jiabao at the Great Hall of People here, the two leaders came out with a joint statement titled “A Shared Vision for the 21st Century of India and China” and signed 12 agreements and MoUs that included cooperation between the two countries in various areas. The joint statement signed by the two Prime Ministers declaring Beijing’s readiness for civil nuclear cooperation with India assumed significance against the backdrop of various reports that China was not enthusiastic in doing business with India in the area and also its reported reservations over the Indo-US nuclear deal. “The two sides welcome the opportunity for their outstanding scientists to work together in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, which is of great potential significance in meeting the global energy challenge in an environmentally sustainable manner. “As two countries with advanced scientific capabilities, the two sides pledge to promote bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy, consistent with their respective international commitments, which will contribute to energy security and to dealing with risks associated with climate change,” the joint statement said. Indications of a positive Chinese attitude in the civil nuclear cooperation area came last night when Singh met Wen over a dinner and had “excellent” discussions. In effusive praise for Wen, the Prime Minister said he always looked forward to his wisdom and experience and said the frequent and regular summit level meetings contributed to development of relations which served to demonstrate to the world the combined mutual understanding, cooperation and trust. On the festering border question, the two sides remained firmly committed to resolving outstanding differences through peaceful negotiations while ensuring that such differences are not allowed to affect the positive development of bilateral relations. They reiterated their determination to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question and to “build a boundary of peace and friendship” on the basis of the Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question concluded in April, 2005. The Special Representatives will complete at an early date the task of arriving at an agreed framework of settlement on the basis of the Agreement, the statement said. National Security Adviser and India’s Special Representative M K Narayanan and his Chinese counterpart Dai Bingguo are meeting here Tuesday informally on the last day of the Prime Minister’s three-day visit. The Special Representatives of the two countries have already held 11 rounds of negotiations on the border row. The Chinese side was happy with India’s reiteration of its “one-China” policy and Premier Wen made a special mention of it in his remarks at the conclusion of the discussions Monday.
“We appreciate India’s support to China on the question of Taiwan,” he said. The joint statement said the Indian side recalled that India was among the first countries to recognise that there is one China and that its one-China policy has remained unaltered. The Indian side states that it would continue to abide by its one-China policy and oppose any activity that is against the one-China principle. The Chinese side expresses its appreciation for the Indian position, it said. Broadening their emerging defence cooperation, the two sides decided to continuously promote confidence building measures through steadily enhanced contacts. They welcomed the commencement of the India-China Defence Dialogue. The two sides also welcomed their efforts for cooperation on trans-border rivers which commenced on 2002. The Indian side thanked China for providing flood season hydrological data which helped India in ensuring the safety and security of its population in the regions along the trans-border rivers. The two sides agreed that this has contributed positively to building mutual understanding and trust. The two Prime Ministers strongly condemned the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and in all regions of the world. They pledged to work together and with the international community to strengthen the global framework against terrorism in a long-term, sustained and comprehensive manner. The two sides believe that cultural and religious tolerance and dialogue between civilisations and peoples will contribute to overall peace and stability of the world. The two countries decided to hold festivals of India and China in each other’s country in 2010. India and China supported and encouraged the processes of regional integration that provide mutually beneficial opportunities for growth as an important feature of the emerging international economic system. The two sides positively viewed each others’ participation in regional processes and agreed to strengthen their coordination and consultation within regional cooperation mechanisms. They will explore together and with other countries a new architecture for closer regional cooperation in Asia and make joint efforts for further regional integration of Asia. The two countries will strengthen their coordination under the framework of Asia-Europe meeting and are committed to strengthening and deepening Asia-Europe comprehensive partnership. Welcoming the positive facets of economic globalisation, the two sides believed that the establishment of an open, fair, equitable, transparent and rule-based multilateral trading system is the common aspiration of all countries. The two sides favoured the early conclusion of the Doha Development Round, placing the issues that affect the poorest of the poor at its core. The two sides are determined to strengthen their coordination with other developing countries in order to secure their shared objectives.