'India-China think-tanks forum' to be initiated as part of USD 10 billion bilateral deals

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday were witness to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the two nations on establishing an India-China think-tank forum, which was among the record 24 bilateral agreements worth USD 10 billion.

The forum that is to be established will meet annually, alternately in either of the countries. The duo also agreed to institutionalize the 'High Level Media Forum' and tasked the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the State Council Information Office of China to convene it on an annual basis.

The leaders welcomed the establishment of the Center for Gandhian and Indian Studies at Fudan University, Shanghai.

Further, other agreements and MoUs signed between India and China focused on certain sectors, including tourism, cooperation in news broadcasting, space cooperation, human resource development and skill development among others.

The first MoU was signed between Doordarshan and China Central Television on cooperation in the field of broadcasting.

The second agreement was signed between the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of India and the National Tourism Administration of the People's Republic of China on cooperation in the field of tourism.

The third agreement was signed between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India for a space cooperation outline for the period of five years, from 2015 to 2020.

The fourth agreement was signed between the Export Inspection Council, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Republic of India, and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine to enhance a protocol on health and safety regulations on importing Indian rapeseed meals.

The fifth, an MoU was signed between NITI Aayog of the Government of India and the Development Research Centre, State Council of the People's Republic of China.

The sixth, an MoU was drawn up between the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Republic of India and the China Earthquake Administration concerning cooperation in the field of earthquake sciences and

earthquake engineering.

The seventh, an MoU was signed between Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Republic of India and the State Oceanic Administration of the People's Republic of China on cooperation in the field of ocean sciences, ocean technology, climate change, polar science and cryosphere.

Array

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