On arrival in Hamburg, Germany yesterday for the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), External Affairs Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee started a round of bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the Meeting. He had a 40-minute meeting with China’s Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. This was the first meeting between Shri Mukherjee and the new Chinese Foreign Minister.
The two Ministers reviewed bilateral relationship in the light of the ten-pronged strategy to strengthen bilateral relations that was spelt out during President Hu Jintao’s visit in November 2006. They said that high-level contacts should continue (meeting on G-8 sideline, Foreign Minister level discussions, Foreign Office Consultations etc.)
They reviewed the trade and economic relationship and noted that bilateral trade has crossed US $ 25 billion and at this rate we should be able to meet the target of US $ 40 billion by 2010. Chinese Foreign Minister said that in first four months this year bilateral trade has reached US $ 11.4 billion (56 % rise).
The two Ministers also reviewed progress under MOU for defence cooperation (2006) and said that dates would be fixed for the annual meeting of the Defence Dialogue Mechanism.
The discussion also touched upon the boundary question and it was agreed that Special Representatives will continue with their work with the encouragement and guidance of the political leadership.
Other issues discussed included cooperation for the success of the India-China Tourism Year and Youth exchanges. Multilateral issues, particularly UN reforms, including Security Council reforms were also discussed.
Shri Mukherjee also had a half an hour meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Ms. Anna Fotyga. Discussions covered bilateral relations particularly trade and investment, cooperation in multilateral fora and the situation in Afghanistan.
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NSD/MK
(Release ID :28284)