200-member Indian youth delegation visits China

A 200-member Indian Youth Delegation is currently visiting China as part of the efforts by the two governments to provide opportunities to their youth to mutually understand each other better.

The delegation comprising students, researchers, youth leaders and young achievers are visiting various Chinese cities including Beijing, Wuhan, Kunming, Shanghai and Guangzhou from July 3 to 10, an Indian Embassy statement said today.

India and China have implemented the annual India-China Youth Exchange programme since 2006-07. Large delegations of Chinese youth have also been visiting India under the programme.

Last year, the Indian delegation had visited Beijing, Hefei, Changsha, Guangzhou and Shanghai from 9-17 June.

Embassy of India hosted a welcome reception for the visiting delegation today.

In his speech, Indian Ambassador Gautam Bambawale emphasised on strengthening people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

He pointed out that through youth exchange programme, the governments of India and China intend to provide opportunities to their youth to mutually understand each other better.

During their stay in China, the delegation will get a wide opportunity to experience various facets of China's economy, society and culture through company visits, tours and lectures.

They would gain a first-hand knowledge about China with the help of close interaction with experts and practitioners from various fields including industry, education, sports, science and technology, urban planning, agriculture and health.

Highlighting the first informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping followed by their meeting at Qingdao on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Bambawale said the two leaders had excellent discussions which had paved the way for strategic interaction and understanding between our countries.

"Conversely, we are expecting the Minister of Defence of China and Minister of Public Security to visit India in the second half of this year," he said.