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India and China announce trade deals during Xi visit to Delhi India and China announce trade deals during Xi visit to Delhi
(35 minutes later)
India and China have announced a series of deals aimed at boosting economic growth in both countries.India and China have announced a series of deals aimed at boosting economic growth in both countries.
Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, said on a visit to Delhi that China would invest billions of dollars over the next five years in railways, industrial parks and, potentially, nuclear power in India.Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, said on a visit to Delhi that China would invest billions of dollars over the next five years in railways, industrial parks and, potentially, nuclear power in India.
"We can bring prosperity to Asia, and we can create opportunities for the world," Xi said during a ceremonial welcome at the presidential palace in the Indian capital before a meeting with Narendra Modi, India's newly elected prime minister."We can bring prosperity to Asia, and we can create opportunities for the world," Xi said during a ceremonial welcome at the presidential palace in the Indian capital before a meeting with Narendra Modi, India's newly elected prime minister.
Modi claimed a landslide victory in May's elections after campaigning with a development agenda. The 64-year-old Hindu nationalist has often spoken of his admiration for the economic development achieved by China in recent decades and knows that his own country desperately needs a massive infusion of investment to improve its collapsing infrastructure.Modi claimed a landslide victory in May's elections after campaigning with a development agenda. The 64-year-old Hindu nationalist has often spoken of his admiration for the economic development achieved by China in recent decades and knows that his own country desperately needs a massive infusion of investment to improve its collapsing infrastructure.
Experts said the amount pledged by Xi – $20bn (£12bn) initially – was less than had been expected. "It's disappointing. It did not match the hype created before the visit. There was even some rumours of $100bn being invested. This is $4bn a year, if it comes," said Srikant Kondapalli, an expert in India and China at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University.Experts said the amount pledged by Xi – $20bn (£12bn) initially – was less than had been expected. "It's disappointing. It did not match the hype created before the visit. There was even some rumours of $100bn being invested. This is $4bn a year, if it comes," said Srikant Kondapalli, an expert in India and China at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Xi's visit to India started in the western state of Gujarat which Modi ran for 12 years. The two men had dinner on Wednesday night in a tent set up on a redeveloped riverfront in the city of Ahmedabad. Xi's visit to India started in the western state of Gujarat, which Modi ran for 12 years. The two men had dinner on Wednesday night in a tent set up on a redeveloped riverfront in the city of Ahmedabad.
Trade between the two developing nations has increased rapidly in the last decade, reaching around $70bn last year, with China now India's largest trading partner. But India's trade deficit with China is already at about $40bn and there are fears that it could grow if China uses India as a dumping ground for cheap manufactured goods in the future.Trade between the two developing nations has increased rapidly in the last decade, reaching around $70bn last year, with China now India's largest trading partner. But India's trade deficit with China is already at about $40bn and there are fears that it could grow if China uses India as a dumping ground for cheap manufactured goods in the future.
Despite the statements of goodwill, the visit has been overshadowed by a tense standoff in the Himalayas. Indian officials claim that hundreds of Chinese troops crossed the unmarked 2,200-mile mountain frontier between the two states last week.Despite the statements of goodwill, the visit has been overshadowed by a tense standoff in the Himalayas. Indian officials claim that hundreds of Chinese troops crossed the unmarked 2,200-mile mountain frontier between the two states last week.
Modi told a press conference after the meeting with Xi: "We need to ensure that there is peace along the border, and if there is, we can work together in mutual cooperation. If this happens we can realise true potential of our relations."Modi told a press conference after the meeting with Xi: "We need to ensure that there is peace along the border, and if there is, we can work together in mutual cooperation. If this happens we can realise true potential of our relations."
Border incidents are common, though the timing of this confrontation has troubled observers. "If some of the reports about the number of Chinese troops involved are true then it is the biggest mobilisation for a long time. It's not clear why. Perhaps there is some difference in the civil-military relationship and this is a message to Xi Jingping [from the military]," Kondapalli said.Border incidents are common, though the timing of this confrontation has troubled observers. "If some of the reports about the number of Chinese troops involved are true then it is the biggest mobilisation for a long time. It's not clear why. Perhaps there is some difference in the civil-military relationship and this is a message to Xi Jingping [from the military]," Kondapalli said.
Xi, who is only the third Chinese premier to visit India, described the border issue as a long-term problem. "As the area is yet to be demarcated, there may be some incidents," he told reporters.Xi, who is only the third Chinese premier to visit India, described the border issue as a long-term problem. "As the area is yet to be demarcated, there may be some incidents," he told reporters.
Xi also said China would support India becoming a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a regional security body whose largest members are China and Russia.Xi also said China would support India becoming a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a regional security body whose largest members are China and Russia.
The relationship between the two regional powers is complex, with both looking for commercial advantages while mindful of core security concerns. One long-term irritation for Beijing is the presence of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, in India. Despite tight security, dozens of Tibetan protesters held a noisy demonstration outside the building where the two leaders met on Thursday morning in central Delhi.The relationship between the two regional powers is complex, with both looking for commercial advantages while mindful of core security concerns. One long-term irritation for Beijing is the presence of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, in India. Despite tight security, dozens of Tibetan protesters held a noisy demonstration outside the building where the two leaders met on Thursday morning in central Delhi.
Dorjee Tseten, of Students for a Free Tibet International, said: "Xi Jinping is leading one of the most oppressive military offensives that Tibetans have faced in the past 50 years of China's occupation of our country."Dorjee Tseten, of Students for a Free Tibet International, said: "Xi Jinping is leading one of the most oppressive military offensives that Tibetans have faced in the past 50 years of China's occupation of our country."
New Delhi had earlier asked the Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet for India in 1959 and is considered a "separatist" by Beijing, to reschedule a conclave of religious leaders scheduled for this week in the capital so that it would not clash with the Chinese president's visit.New Delhi had earlier asked the Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet for India in 1959 and is considered a "separatist" by Beijing, to reschedule a conclave of religious leaders scheduled for this week in the capital so that it would not clash with the Chinese president's visit.
The Tibetan leader says he seeks only greater autonomy for his homeland, and on Thursday he urged Xi to learn from India's democracy.The Tibetan leader says he seeks only greater autonomy for his homeland, and on Thursday he urged Xi to learn from India's democracy.
"I think the Chinese president should learn some of India's experience. Look, east India, south India, west India, north India, different language, different script. But no danger of separation," he said. "Democratic rule, rule of law and free media …""I think the Chinese president should learn some of India's experience. Look, east India, south India, west India, north India, different language, different script. But no danger of separation," he said. "Democratic rule, rule of law and free media …"
In a column published in a local newspaper prior to his arrival, Xi said the "Chinese dragon" and the "Indian elephant" both cherished peace and shared one of the most dynamic and promising bilateral relations of the 21st century.In a column published in a local newspaper prior to his arrival, Xi said the "Chinese dragon" and the "Indian elephant" both cherished peace and shared one of the most dynamic and promising bilateral relations of the 21st century.
Xi, who took power in 2012, arrives after touring the Maldives and Sri Lanka, two countries where growing Chinese influence has worried India. Delhi also has concerns about China's relationship with its hostile neighbour Pakistan and its growing role in Nepal.Xi, who took power in 2012, arrives after touring the Maldives and Sri Lanka, two countries where growing Chinese influence has worried India. Delhi also has concerns about China's relationship with its hostile neighbour Pakistan and its growing role in Nepal.
Beijing has been unsettled by Indian-US cooperation in the Asia Pacific region and Indian's stance on territorial disputes involving China and other nations in the South and East China Seas.Beijing has been unsettled by Indian-US cooperation in the Asia Pacific region and Indian's stance on territorial disputes involving China and other nations in the South and East China Seas.
Modi's efforts to build a rapport with his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe, during a heavily publicised recent visit to Tokyo and his plans to meet Barack Obama later this month point to a carefully balanced approach to India's relations with world powers.Modi's efforts to build a rapport with his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe, during a heavily publicised recent visit to Tokyo and his plans to meet Barack Obama later this month point to a carefully balanced approach to India's relations with world powers.
China and India fought a war in 1962 which ended in a crushing defeat for Delhi's forces.China and India fought a war in 1962 which ended in a crushing defeat for Delhi's forces.