Date:02/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/02/stories/2008010260291200.htm

New Delhi

Somnath calls for greater India-China collaboration

Special Correspondent

Asks friendship groups to be proactive in strengthening ties

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Tuesday stressed the role India and China could together play for world peace and development and said the two countries could cooperate meaningfully in many areas, especially pertaining to energy security and climate change.

Welcoming a 10-member Chinese delegation led by Jia Zhijie, Chairman of the China-India Friendship Group of the National People’s Congress of China, which is currently on a visit to India, Mr. Chatterjee noted that a similar India-China Friendship Group had been formed in Parliament and emphasised the need for greater exchanges and interaction between the two Parliaments.

He called upon the friendship groups to be proactive in strengthening the relationship between the two countries and their parliaments. He hoped that the coming visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to China would further cement the relation between the two countries and their people.

Referring to the impressive economic development in both the countries, he said there was a need for a scientific outlook to development, which should enable sustainable growth.

He hailed the role of the parliaments of the two countries in the consolidation of the overall bilateral relationship.

Responding, Mr. Zhijie said that purposive cooperation between India and China could rejuvenate their respective economies, providing a win-win situation. He pointed out that development remained the key challenge for the Chinese leadership and the people and in that context he emphasised the need for sustainable development.