China, India sign 24 agreements and MOUs

May 18, 2015 (LBO) – China and India signed 24 agreements and MOUs aimed at boosting cooperation in areas including railways, aerospace, mineral exploitation, marine science and vocational education, foreign media reported.

The agreements were signed during the recently concluded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China.

“The two neighbors agreed to strengthen cooperation in marine science and technology, climate change and polar science,” the media report said. “In addition, a five-year outline for cooperation in aerospace has been completed by authorities from the two countries,” Other agreements include strengthening exchanges in media, think tanks, education and tourism. The report also quoted Premier Li Keqiang as saying that talks with the visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on advancing bilateral strategic cooperation and common development. “While ensuring the peace and tranquility of the border the focus should be put on advancing bilateral strategic cooperation and common development, so as to realize the real "Asia Century",” “Economically, China and India should connect their development strategies, draw strengths from each other, and expedite cooperation in infrastructure, industrial capacity, and equipment,” Li also called for stepping up and promoting regional economic development, the media report said. India and China should enhance pragmatic cooperation in key areas such as railway and industrial parks, create flagship projects and push for dynamic trade balance between the two sides, he said. "The current trade volume between China and India is not big enough and not commensurate with the two countries' power and market.

This shows that we have plenty of room for future development," The two sides should expand people-to-people exchanges and strengthen communication in technology, education, and tourism, so as to solidify the friendship between the two peoples, he said. Li said China is willing to communicate and coordinate with India on global issues including global governance, international financial reform, climate change, and sustainable development, and jointly safeguard the legitimate rights of the two countries as well as other developing countries.



Modi was reported as saying that India views China as one of the most important strategic partners, because the revival of the two nations and the development of bilateral relations will have a significant impact on both countries and the world.