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Today, all eyes will be on Chinese President Xi Jinping, who arrives in India and is expected to announce a significant investment initiative as well as to defend the soaring trade deficit against India.
During his three-day visit, Xi is expected to make an investment commitment of $100 billion over five years to develop India's country's creaky infrastructure .
The Indian government has reportedly told Beijing that if it wants to enter the Indian market, it has to be through investments and not by tariff concessions. The new BJP-led government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken this stance with every economic power that wants a part of the Indian market, officials told Business Standard.
Officials said the Chinese decision to invest $100 billion was a recent one, likely spurred by the Japanese government to put in $35 billion, or 3.5 trillion yen, into infrastructure over a similar time period.
(ON XI'S AGENDA)
Whether such an investment will help address the trade deficit remains an open question. The Chinese investment will largely be made in India's infrastructure and manufacturing sectors through the establishment of two industrial parks, in Gujarat and Maharashtra. While investment is not directly linked to the trade deficit, it could help if domestic manufacturing can substitute imports from China.
The Chinese President will also commit his country's cooperation and participation in developing and building India's railway network.
"This is not just any amount. A country that has not invested so much in over a decade will not commit such a huge investment for nothing," said a Mumbai-based businessman with a significant presence in China, on condition of anonymity. In all the 14 years between 2000 and 2014, China invested a meagre $410.8 million into India, according to official data.
Besides, during the India-China business meet, taking place under the aegis of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry on the sidelines of the visit here, memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth $3.4 billion are expected to be signed.
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What's cooking? Chinese President Xi Jinping will be treated to authentic Gujarati vegetarian cuisine during his dinner with PM Narendra Modi at the Sabarmati riverfront on Wednesday evening. With the Prime Minister insisting on a purely vegetarian meal, Xi will be treated to over a 100 dishes, including popular snacks such as khaman, dhokla, khichdi, and kadi, among others, state government officials said. At the Hotel Hyatt, authentic Chinese dishes such as wonton, tong sui and dim sum along with local dishes, are believed to be part of the menu on Wednesday afternoon.
BS Reporter
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Among these will be a $2.2-billion investment proposal between IndiGo Airlines and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China for leasing and financing of 30 aircraft. Beside, two MoUs on the telecom sector will be signed by Reliance with ZTE and Huawei, for $150 million each. China Meheco Co will also be signing a MoU with pharmaceuticals major Lupin.
The trade deficit between India and China was $36.2 billion in 2013-14, in China's favour. India exported goods worth $14.8 billion but had an import bill with China as high as $51 billion.
For Japan, Modi has promised an exclusive fast-track mechanism for its investors. It remains to be seen if he does so with the Chinese.
The Prime Minister recently said the visit would strengthen ties. During an interaction with Chinese journalists on Tuesday, he said bilateral relations were moving from "Inch (India and China) towards Miles (Millennium of Exceptional Synergy)."
This will be Modi's second meeting with Xi. They'd met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Brazil this July.
SOWING FOR THE FUTURE
- MOUs worth $3.4 billion to be signed on Wednesday during India-China business meet in Delhi
- IndiGo Airlines and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China will sign a $2.2 bn deal
- Reliance to sign MoU with ZTE and Huawei
- Pharma major Lupin to sign a deal with China Meheco Co
- Deals in seafood, textiles, cotton and chemicals
