Foreign and Military Affairs

Indian president urges enhanced co-op with China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-31 21:53

SHANGHAI - Indian President Pratibha Patil Wednesday called for more economic and trade cooperation between India and China.

Economic and trade cooperation had become the foundation of India-China relations, said Patil.

During her China visit, the two countries had expanded cooperation fields, she said at an India-China economic and trade forum, the last official activity of her six-day state visit to China.

Patil urged the entrepreneurs of both countries to play an active role in promoting bilateral cooperation, which would have an important effect on the world economy.

Patil expected China's enterprises to attach more importance to the Indian market, saying India had maintained an economic growth rate of more than 8 percent in recent years, with high market demand and many investment opportunities.

Patil said she was confident that India and China could increase bilateral trade volume to $60 billion in 2010.

China became India's largest trade partner in 2008. The two countries enjoyed a bilateral trade volume of $9 billion in the first two months this year.

The two countries should continue to tap their trade potential, in particular in the fields of finance, engineering, medical industry and information technology, she said.

Patil also witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation agreements between Indian and Chinese universities and enterprises.

Patil wrapped up her China visit Monday noon.