Pulsar
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Li Keqiang greets Indian
Youth delegation in Beijing
on Wednesday
Beijing: Chinese premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday gave an emotional touch to relations and indicated that a major policy change towards India was underway. Four days before he was scheduled to land in India, Li suggested that linkages between our vast markets could be a game changer for the world.
The 57-year-old Chinese leader said he had chosen India as his first foreign visit as premier not just because it was a neighbour and one of the worlds most populous countries, but because of the seeds of friendship sown in my own youth.
He had led a Chinese youth delegation to India 27 years ago and the warmth and friendship of the Indian people have had a lasting effect on him, said Li who begins his visit to New Delhi and Mumbai on May 19.
Speaking to an Indian youth delegation at the picturesque Zhongnanhai, he gave ample signs of major changes in Chinas relationship with India. The visit comes in the backdrop of tensions over border incursions and subsequent truce as well as elections in Pakistan, which saw the defeat of Pakistan Peoples Party of president Asif Ali Zardari, who is regarded as close to Chinese leaders.
Li, who was chosen as premier on March 15 at the National Peoples Congress, said the two countries must shake hands and enhance the level of exchanges. He remembered his India tour in 1986, which covered the Taj Mahal and prestigious universities, by saying: What I saw and felt during that trip the warmth and hospitality of Indian people left a lasting effect on me.
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Li visiting India as the first in his itinerary instead of its all weather friend Pakistan is intriguing! Well, it's probably all about the economy. As they say, there are no permanent friends in international relations, only permanent interests. And China's priority is India as trade is now over $70 billion slated to reach $100 billion by the end of next year and $500 billion by 2020!
So it isn't much of a surprise that Li has put India on top! China has realized where its national interests lie and has chosen the path of cooperation and a peaceful resolution of the border problem.
Cheers!
Though it will be hard to get into Zhongnanhai of course, unless you are a high-level diplomat. It's the Chinese equivalent of the White House or the Kremlin.
Thanks.
