Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING24199
2006-11-30 10:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
PRC/INDIA: PRESIDENT HU JINTAO'S STATE VISIT TO
VZCZCXRO2442 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #4199/01 3341039 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 301039Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2604 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 024199
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV IN CH
SUBJECT: PRC/INDIA: PRESIDENT HU JINTAO'S STATE VISIT TO
INDIA HAILED AS A SUCCESS
REF: (A) BEIJING 23849
Classified By: External Unit Chief Edgard Kagan.
Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 024199
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV IN CH
SUBJECT: PRC/INDIA: PRESIDENT HU JINTAO'S STATE VISIT TO
INDIA HAILED AS A SUCCESS
REF: (A) BEIJING 23849
Classified By: External Unit Chief Edgard Kagan.
Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Chinese President Hu Jintao's November 20)23
visit to India strengthened the "mutual political
trust" and "strategic cooperation" between Beijing and
New Delhi, according to MFA officials and third
country diplomats. The Summit between President Hu
and Indian Prime Minister Singh resulted in the
signing of a wide-ranging Joint Declaration and 13
agreements. Among the agreements, the PRC and India
have agreed to expand cooperation in civilian nuclear
technology and to expedite the settlement of the
outstanding border disagreements. The two leaders
also agreed that Sino-Indian relations are of global
strategic significance. End Summary.
Smooth Visit with Four Overarching Results
--------------
2. (C) Indian DCM Pradeep Kumar Rawat told us November
29 that New Delhi has described the visit as a success
and that the discussions were friendly and cordial.
This was the fifth meeting in the past 18 months
between President Hu and Prime Minister Singh, but the
first state visit by a Chinese President in a decade.
The two leaders have a "good rapport," Rawat stated,
and held a 20 minute one-on-one restricted meeting.
Despite Tibet exiles holding large protests, hunger
strikes and a reported attempt at self-immolation,
Rawat said Beijing did not lodge any formal
complaints. President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister
Singh held three rounds of talks during Hu's visit.
In addition Hu also met with President Kalam, Vice
President Shekhawat, Foreign Secretary Menon and the
leaders of India's opposition parties. (Note: It is
unusual for President Hu to meet with the leaders of
opposition parties when making state visits. End
Note.) While in India, Hu also visited Agra, to see
the Taj Mahal and Mumbai, to attend the jointly hosted
CEO's Forum.
3. (C) MFA Asian Department Division Director for
India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan Huang Xilian told
poloff separately that said the visit solidified the
"strategic relationship" established in 2005 and
achieved four overall results:
-President Hu and Prime Minister Singh planned the
future development of the "strategic cooperative
relationship" between the two countries.
-They announced a 48-paragraph Joint Declaration
outlining the "ten-pronged" strategy for deepening
PRC-India partnership and mutual political trust.
-The two governments also signed 13 agreements.
-Finally, Huang said that the Summit sent a strong
message to the international community that China and
India want long-term friendship and are willing to
work "hand-in-hand" for the common development of the
Asian region.
A Bilateral Relationship of Global Strategic
Significance
--------------
4. (C) During the talks, Hu and Singh characterized
the overall bilateral relationship as "satisfactory,"
Huang said. China and India share a wide range of
sustainable common interests and both countries
shoulder a responsibility to improve the living
standards of their peoples and to promote peace,
stability and development in Asia, according to Huang.
The two leaders agreed that Sino-Indian relations
transcend mere bilateral relations and have "global
and strategic significance." Echoing Huang's
assessment, Rawat stated that New Delhi was
particularly satisfied with Beijing's pledge to
support India's participation in the East Asia Summit
and its "reaffirmation of support" for India's bid to
become a permanent member of the United Nations
BEIJING 00024199 002 OF 003
Security Council. Huang claimed that Prime Minister
Singh and India's opposition party leaders told
President Hu that they all favor strengthening
relations with China.
Hu's Proposals
--------------
4. (C) President Hu made several proposals during his
talks with Prime Minister Singh, Huang stated. To
strengthen dialogue and consultations to deepen
political trust, Hu invited Prime Minster Singh and
President Kalam to visit China in 2007. According to
Huang, India eagerly accepted Hu's proposal that the
two foreign ministers establish a "hotline." Hu
proposed to deepen economic cooperation by
accelerating the completion of the Regional Trade
Agreement feasibility study. The study, currently
underway, is to be completed by October 2007. The two
countries also set a new target for overall trade
volume of 40 billion United States dollars by 2010, as
well as pledging to eliminate obstacles to economic
cooperation and integration and signed the Mutual
Investment and Protection Agreement.
5. (C) Hu proposed for the two countries to promote
social and cultural exchanges and both sides agreed to
open new consulates, Huang stated. Beijing will open
a consulate in Kolkata, while India will open one in
Guangzhou. Official tourism offices will also be
opened in each country and 2007 will be the year of
"China-India Tourism Friendship." Hu also proposed
that China and India cooperate in multilateral
organizations to safeguard their common interests.
Huang claimed that Hu told Singh China has no
interests in South Asia other than to see it
peacefully develop.
6. (C) When asked which side took the lead on drafting
the Joint Declaration and the 13 Agreements, Indian
DCM Rawat responded that the successful Summit was the
result of collaborative efforts and intense
preparations that came down to the wire. Rawat
highlighted the agreements between New Delhi and
Beijing to establish an exchange mechanism between
experts on water resources and enhanced cooperation in
fighting terrorism and cross-border crimes.
Civilian Nuclear Cooperation?
--------------
7. (C) Huang refused to give any details about the
joint agreement to develop civilian nuclear technology
and only stated that all cooperation, bilateral or
international, on nuclear energy should abide by
existing international treaties and rules. Huang
added that Indian media reports claiming that Beijing
told New Delhi it endorses the United States-India
Civilian Nuclear cooperation agreement are misleading.
He quickly added that Hu's visit to India was a state
visit so the details of each proposal, including
civilian nuclear cooperation, were not discussed. The
details, Huang claimed, were negotiated prior to the
visit. Indian DCM Rawat stated that negotiations on
civilian nuclear cooperation between the two countries
were an "on- going process without a set timeline."
Step Up Efforts on Border Negotiations
--------------
8. (C) President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Singh
agreed to quicken the pace of the border negotiations
between the two countries' Special Representatives
and, according to Director Huang and Indian DCM Rawat,
the ninth round of talks between the special
representatives will be held in the "near" future.
Rawat added that both sides are "satisfied with the
progress achieved thus far."
9. (C) Comment: MFA Asian Department India, Nepal, Sri
Lankan and Bhutan Division Director Huang Xilian
traveled as part of President Hu's official entourage
to India and was directly involved in drafting
language contained in the Joint Declaration. In 2005,
after Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to India, the Indian
Embassy in China did not provide a briefing on the
visit. Indian Embassy officer Madhusudhanan Sridharan
told poloff that in the past the Indian Foreign
BEIJING 00024199 003 OF 003
Ministry prohibited Indian Embassy diplomats from
providing briefings on visits that occur outside of
Beijing. DCM Rawat's November 29 briefing, according
to Rawat and Sridharan, demonstrates a new effort at
creating transparency in regards to developments in
India-China relations. End Comment.
Randt
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV IN CH
SUBJECT: PRC/INDIA: PRESIDENT HU JINTAO'S STATE VISIT TO
INDIA HAILED AS A SUCCESS
REF: (A) BEIJING 23849
Classified By: External Unit Chief Edgard Kagan.
Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Chinese President Hu Jintao's November 20)23
visit to India strengthened the "mutual political
trust" and "strategic cooperation" between Beijing and
New Delhi, according to MFA officials and third
country diplomats. The Summit between President Hu
and Indian Prime Minister Singh resulted in the
signing of a wide-ranging Joint Declaration and 13
agreements. Among the agreements, the PRC and India
have agreed to expand cooperation in civilian nuclear
technology and to expedite the settlement of the
outstanding border disagreements. The two leaders
also agreed that Sino-Indian relations are of global
strategic significance. End Summary.
Smooth Visit with Four Overarching Results
--------------
2. (C) Indian DCM Pradeep Kumar Rawat told us November
29 that New Delhi has described the visit as a success
and that the discussions were friendly and cordial.
This was the fifth meeting in the past 18 months
between President Hu and Prime Minister Singh, but the
first state visit by a Chinese President in a decade.
The two leaders have a "good rapport," Rawat stated,
and held a 20 minute one-on-one restricted meeting.
Despite Tibet exiles holding large protests, hunger
strikes and a reported attempt at self-immolation,
Rawat said Beijing did not lodge any formal
complaints. President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister
Singh held three rounds of talks during Hu's visit.
In addition Hu also met with President Kalam, Vice
President Shekhawat, Foreign Secretary Menon and the
leaders of India's opposition parties. (Note: It is
unusual for President Hu to meet with the leaders of
opposition parties when making state visits. End
Note.) While in India, Hu also visited Agra, to see
the Taj Mahal and Mumbai, to attend the jointly hosted
CEO's Forum.
3. (C) MFA Asian Department Division Director for
India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan Huang Xilian told
poloff separately that said the visit solidified the
"strategic relationship" established in 2005 and
achieved four overall results:
-President Hu and Prime Minister Singh planned the
future development of the "strategic cooperative
relationship" between the two countries.
-They announced a 48-paragraph Joint Declaration
outlining the "ten-pronged" strategy for deepening
PRC-India partnership and mutual political trust.
-The two governments also signed 13 agreements.
-Finally, Huang said that the Summit sent a strong
message to the international community that China and
India want long-term friendship and are willing to
work "hand-in-hand" for the common development of the
Asian region.
A Bilateral Relationship of Global Strategic
Significance
--------------
4. (C) During the talks, Hu and Singh characterized
the overall bilateral relationship as "satisfactory,"
Huang said. China and India share a wide range of
sustainable common interests and both countries
shoulder a responsibility to improve the living
standards of their peoples and to promote peace,
stability and development in Asia, according to Huang.
The two leaders agreed that Sino-Indian relations
transcend mere bilateral relations and have "global
and strategic significance." Echoing Huang's
assessment, Rawat stated that New Delhi was
particularly satisfied with Beijing's pledge to
support India's participation in the East Asia Summit
and its "reaffirmation of support" for India's bid to
become a permanent member of the United Nations
BEIJING 00024199 002 OF 003
Security Council. Huang claimed that Prime Minister
Singh and India's opposition party leaders told
President Hu that they all favor strengthening
relations with China.
Hu's Proposals
--------------
4. (C) President Hu made several proposals during his
talks with Prime Minister Singh, Huang stated. To
strengthen dialogue and consultations to deepen
political trust, Hu invited Prime Minster Singh and
President Kalam to visit China in 2007. According to
Huang, India eagerly accepted Hu's proposal that the
two foreign ministers establish a "hotline." Hu
proposed to deepen economic cooperation by
accelerating the completion of the Regional Trade
Agreement feasibility study. The study, currently
underway, is to be completed by October 2007. The two
countries also set a new target for overall trade
volume of 40 billion United States dollars by 2010, as
well as pledging to eliminate obstacles to economic
cooperation and integration and signed the Mutual
Investment and Protection Agreement.
5. (C) Hu proposed for the two countries to promote
social and cultural exchanges and both sides agreed to
open new consulates, Huang stated. Beijing will open
a consulate in Kolkata, while India will open one in
Guangzhou. Official tourism offices will also be
opened in each country and 2007 will be the year of
"China-India Tourism Friendship." Hu also proposed
that China and India cooperate in multilateral
organizations to safeguard their common interests.
Huang claimed that Hu told Singh China has no
interests in South Asia other than to see it
peacefully develop.
6. (C) When asked which side took the lead on drafting
the Joint Declaration and the 13 Agreements, Indian
DCM Rawat responded that the successful Summit was the
result of collaborative efforts and intense
preparations that came down to the wire. Rawat
highlighted the agreements between New Delhi and
Beijing to establish an exchange mechanism between
experts on water resources and enhanced cooperation in
fighting terrorism and cross-border crimes.
Civilian Nuclear Cooperation?
--------------
7. (C) Huang refused to give any details about the
joint agreement to develop civilian nuclear technology
and only stated that all cooperation, bilateral or
international, on nuclear energy should abide by
existing international treaties and rules. Huang
added that Indian media reports claiming that Beijing
told New Delhi it endorses the United States-India
Civilian Nuclear cooperation agreement are misleading.
He quickly added that Hu's visit to India was a state
visit so the details of each proposal, including
civilian nuclear cooperation, were not discussed. The
details, Huang claimed, were negotiated prior to the
visit. Indian DCM Rawat stated that negotiations on
civilian nuclear cooperation between the two countries
were an "on- going process without a set timeline."
Step Up Efforts on Border Negotiations
--------------
8. (C) President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Singh
agreed to quicken the pace of the border negotiations
between the two countries' Special Representatives
and, according to Director Huang and Indian DCM Rawat,
the ninth round of talks between the special
representatives will be held in the "near" future.
Rawat added that both sides are "satisfied with the
progress achieved thus far."
9. (C) Comment: MFA Asian Department India, Nepal, Sri
Lankan and Bhutan Division Director Huang Xilian
traveled as part of President Hu's official entourage
to India and was directly involved in drafting
language contained in the Joint Declaration. In 2005,
after Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to India, the Indian
Embassy in China did not provide a briefing on the
visit. Indian Embassy officer Madhusudhanan Sridharan
told poloff that in the past the Indian Foreign
BEIJING 00024199 003 OF 003
Ministry prohibited Indian Embassy diplomats from
providing briefings on visits that occur outside of
Beijing. DCM Rawat's November 29 briefing, according
to Rawat and Sridharan, demonstrates a new effort at
creating transparency in regards to developments in
India-China relations. End Comment.
Randt