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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to India (19-21 May 2013). Bijoy Das Research Associate East Asia Centre, IDSA 27 May 2013. Li Keqiang’s entourage & Itinerary. 4 Ministers 1 Vice Minister Chief, association for people-to-people ties 88 corporate leaders 19-20 May: Delhi
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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to India (19-21 May 2013) Bijoy Das Research Associate East Asia Centre, IDSA 27 May 2013
Li Keqiang’s entourage & Itinerary • 4 Ministers • 1 Vice Minister • Chief, association for people-to-people ties • 88 corporate leaders • 19-20 May: Delhi • 20-21 May: Mumbai
Agreements in Pipeline • Border Defence Cooperation Agreement • Coordination in media statements/info • Railways – heavy haulage, stations • Financial regulation, Disaster mgmt • S&T: astronomy, astrophysics, medicine, climate change, traditional knowledge
Joint Statement – a wide range • Consensus on ties, space, models, peace • Opposition to trade protectionism but… • Trade imbalance: • Indian pharma, agro, IT products to China • Chinese investment into Indian Infrastructure • Mutual project contracts • Cluster type devp like Industrial Zones • P2P ties: 2014, Youth, Chinese, Ency, Lit.
Joint Statement • Border trade, connectivity – Nathu La • Media coop to be enhanced • Regional devp – BCIM Econ Corridor • Visa simplification • Maritime security coop – Somalia not SCS • Military exercises & exchanges • Boundary settlement – work in “progress” • Peace to be maintained at borders
Joint Statement • Talks on regional & global issues: • Afghan, West Asia, Africa, Counterterrorism • Central Asia, Maritime, Disarmamt, Non-proliferation, Arms control • Asia Pac – peace, devp, security framewk • Regional multilaterals – stuck in bargain • Coop in New World Order agenda: • UN, BRICS, G-20, WTO, Climate Change, Fin
B2B @ Mumbai • India Inc. welcomed encouraging statemts • Existing synergy between Ind-Chn cos. • Eager for more trade to bridge imbalance • Welcomed into Infrastructure, Manufactg • Stressed mkt access for pharma, auto parts, engg products, IT-ITES services • Alive to potential of coop for Asian Century
Chinese Media & Commentators • Strategic significance of ties, build trust • Potential for coop, devp for peace • Do well major things, Manage well minors • Display of comprehensive diplomacy • Why India? – Western neighbourhood dip • Indo-Pak factor • Bilateral economic ties • The Chindia Path
Assessment • Li – bruised (Depsang) & happy (open) • Minor gains for India; Major ones pending • China – Li’s visit failed to build strategic trust with India -> Depsang Incursion • Boost for Indian diplomacy/negotiations • Lessons – business as usual: • Econ: self help; Pol: widen strategic options • Multilateral: encouraging; Region: ???