China, India agree on one thing
Chinese President Hu Jintao met with India's Prime Minister today. It was more symbolism than substance, but the leaders did agree that they want to double trade between their nations. Miranda Kennedy reports.
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MARK AUSTIN THOMAS: Chinese President Hu Jintao met with India’s Prime Minister in New Delhi today. They signed agreements on energy and technology but a lot was left unsaid. However Miranda Kennedy reports from New Delhi that both leaders did find one issue to agree on.
MIRANDA KENNEDY: When it comes to trade, India and China seem determined to work together.
Today Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in the next four years, they want to double India-China trade, to $40 billion. He said they’ve traditionally been competitors, but they want to redefine their economic relationship.
PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH: There is enough space for the two countries to develop together, while remaining sensitive to each others concerns and aspirations, as befits good neighbors.
The two countries agreed to cooperate on civil nuclear technology, a particularly sensitive issue, given President Hu’s next stop. Thursday, he’ll pay a visit to India’s archrival, Pakistan, and there are reports that President Hu will offer to sell Pakistan nuclear tech.
In New Delhi, I’m Miranda Kennedy for Marketplace.