Peaceful trade, external affairs part of India-China agreements worth USD 10 billion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday signed agreements for the promotion of peaceful trade relations and external affairs between their respective nations. This was part of a record 24 bilateral agreements amounting to USD 10 billion.

The first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked was for creation of a consultative mechanism for cooperation in trade negotiations. The second MoU was between the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on cooperation between the two.

The third agreement is a protocol that has been initiated between the India and China on the establishment of consulates-general at Chengdu (China) and Chennai and the extension of the consular district of the consulate general of the Republic of India in Guangzhou to include Jiangxi province.

The series of agreements and memorandums of understand (MoU) between the two neighbouring countries also focussed on certain sectors, including railways, skill development, education and mining sector among others.

The fourth agreement was between the National Railway Administration of China and the Ministry of Railways of India as an action plan to enhance cooperation in the railway sector for 2015-2016.

The fifth agreement was an MoU between The Republic of India and the People's Republic of China for an Education Exchange Programme between the two nations.

The sixth was an MoU between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship of India and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China on cooperation in the field of vocational education and skill development.

The seventh agreement is an action plan for cooperation between the two nations in setting up a Mahatma Gandhi National Institute for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

The eighth was an MoU to establish cooperation between the Ministry of Mines of India and the Ministry of Land and Resources of the People's Republic of China in the fields of mining and mineral

sector.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi was accorded with an official welcome ceremony at the Eastern Plaza in the Great Hall of People. Prime Minister Modi, along with Premier Li, inspected the Guard of

Honour before the national anthems of India and China were played at the venue.

In the afternoon, the two leaders are scheduled to address the State/Provincial Leaders' Forum, following which Premier Li will host a lunch banquet for the Prime Minister.