PM calls for ‘harmonious partnership’ between India and China

Calling for a ‘harmonious partnership’ between India and China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said it was essential for the economic development and political stability of Asia.

Addressing CEOs at the India-China Business Forum here, Prime Minister Modi said both India and China have the potential for growth and problems of poverty “which we can tackle together. I am personally committed to take the co-operative process forward".

Highlighting the significance of the need for a sound relationship between two of Asia’s major economies, he said: “Harmonious partnership between India and China is essential for economic development and political stability of the continent.”

He further said: “This industrial partnership of China and India can bring about greater investment, employment and satisfaction of our people.”

Agreements signed between Indian, Chinese firms

As many as 21 agreements were signed between Indian and Chinese firms worth $22 billion at the India-China Business Forum.

Asking Chinese companies to take the “historic opportunity” to invest in India, Modi said: “We have committed ourselves to creating and improving the business environment. I can assure you that once you decide to be in India, we are confident to make you more and more comfortable.”

Many Chinese companies have the possibility of investing in India to take advantage of India’s potentials. The potential lies in manufacturing, processing, as well as in infrastructure, he added.

Highlighting the steps taken up by his Government to improve ease of doing business, he said: “We are making the taxation system transparent, stable and predictable. We have removed a lot of regressive taxation regimes.”

Assuring Chinese business leaders that India’s economic environment has changed, Modi said: “Our regulatory regime is much more transparent, responsive and stable. We are taking a long—term and futuristic view on the issues. Lot of efforts have been made and are still underway to improve the ease of doing business.”

Modi said the Government has also rationalised a number of issues which were bothering investors, and added “we do believe that FDI is important and it will not come in the country without a globally competitive business environment".

Recalling the economic exchanges between the two nations in the past, the Prime Minister said: “The Indo-Chinese partnership should and will flourish. I expect very good outcome from this coming together. We have complemented each other in the past. We can complement in the present and future too.”

Modi said like China, India also wants to promote manufacturing in a big way, particularly to create jobs for youth who form 65 per cent of the population.

“Hence, we want to make things in India. For this purpose, we have launched a campaign called ‘Make in India’..We have to learn from you about the development of labour-intensive industries, creating conditions for sustainable foreign direct investment, skill development, infrastructure creation, and export-led development model.”

Modi, who is on a three-day visit to China, met with a group of CEOs of top Chinese firms, included heads of Alibaba, mobile phone company Xiomi and several other successful companies.

India and China yesterday had signed 24 cooperation documents in the presence of Modi and his counterpart Li Keqiang covering railways, mining, education, space, quality supervision and inspection, film and television, ocean and earthquake science.