'State/Provincial Leaders' Forum' launched as part of USD 10 billion bilateral deals with China

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday welcomed the move to initiate a State/Provincial Leaders' Forum to advance the bilateral relationship between the two nations. This was part of record 24 bilateral agreements signed between the two neighbouring countries, amounting to USD 10 billion.

Noting the increasingly important role played by Indian States and Chinese Provinces in advancing the bilateral relationship, the two sides agreed to establish a State/Provincial Leaders' Forum. The duo kick-started this forum by attending its first meeting held in Beijing during the Prime Minister's tour of the country.

Another Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was drawn up between Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Yunnan Minzu University on the establishment of a yoga college to further cultural cooperation. The two sides agreed to work together to successfully organize events related to the International Yoga Day.

The Prime Minister also attended the Yoga-Taichi demonstration event here.

Further, other agreements and MoUs signed between India and China focused on scientific cooperation and cultural understanding, among others.

An MoU was drawn up between Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines, of the Republic of India and China Geological Survey, Ministry of Land and Resources of People's Republic of China in Geosaences for scientific cooperation.

Agreements were also established on a provincial partnership between Karnataka and Sichuan and sister-city relationships between Aurangabad - Dunhuang, Chennai - Chongqing and Hyderabad - Qingdao were also welcomed.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi was given a ceremonial welcome at the Eastern Plaza in the Great Hall of People. Prime Minister Modi and 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.