'Focus on investment to resolve trade imbalance between India, China': Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's delegation to China,

on Thursday pitched for greater focus on investment to resolve the trade imbalance between New Delhi and Beijing.

"I feel we should focus more on investment as compared to trade. Trade between us is huge, but if we have to resolve the trade imbalance we

should bring focus on investment. 'Make in India' and investment can help remove the trade imbalance," Fadnavis told ANI here.

He lauded Prime Minister Modi for bringing along the state chief ministers to participate in bilateral talks with the Chinese leadership.

"Prime Minister Modi says India lives in its states, it is right as the nation can only progress if the states progress. This is for the

first time that the chief ministers and states will be participating in the bilateral talks," Fadnavis said.

"This will increase cooperation and investment, this way we can work together towards communication, technology and infrastructure," he added.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister also pointed out that Prime Minister Modi understands that the Central Government has to take the states forward so that they can progress.

"When we talk about bilateral relations, the Central Government has a major role to play. And if the Central Government takes the states

forward, then the states can go ahead rapidly. Prime Minister Modi has understood this and I think it would be hugely beneficial," Fadnavis said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Beijing today after completing the first part of his three-day tour of China in Xi'an.

The Prime Minister's stay in Beijing would witness the first meeting of the India-China state and provincial leader's forum.

He is scheduled to hold talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and is expected to sign a number of agreements at the conclusion of the talks.

Prime Minister Modi will also visit Shanghai before arriving in Mongolia on Saturday.