India Chronicle January 2008



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	INSIDE THIS ISSUE


	01 MAIN


	02 NEWSMAKERS


	03 POLICY & ECONOMY


	04 TRADE & ECONOMY


	05 INFOTECH


	06 CULTURE


	07 TRAVEL


	08 CALENDAR


	HIGHLIGHTS

Unprecedented growth of Telecom Sector in 2007
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Surajkund crafts mela 2008
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Beaches Galore
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Prime Minister Singh visits China

1. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh shaking hands with the Chinese Premier, Mr. Wen Jiabao after exchanging signed documents of an agreement on 'A Shared Vision for the 21st Century of the Peoples of Republic of China and the Republic of India’, in Great Hall of People, Beijing on January 14, 2008, 2. PM meeting with the Chinese President, Mr. Hu Jintao,3. PM meeting with the National People's Congress Chairman,Mr. Wu Bangguo.

Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singhs was on a three -day visit to China during which both sides to covered the entire range of bilateral issues, besides exchanging notes on regional and international issues of mutual interest. This was the fifth visit by an Indian Prime Minister to China in the over five decades since diplomatic relations were first established between the two countries, the previous ones being undertaken by Jawarharlal Nehru (1954), Rajiv Gandhi (1988), P.V. Narasimha Rao (1993) and Atal Behari Vajpayee (2003). The visits significance are to be seen in the context of landmark bilateral developments of the last few years, which culminated in the signing of a Strategic

Cooperation on Partnership in 2006, activating regular and annual summit-level meetings between the two sides, he said.Apart from holding talks with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and calling on President Hu Jintao and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress of China, Wu Bangguo, Dr. Singh also addressed some 400 members of Chinas business and government community at a summit organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on the issue of India-China relations in the 21st century.

Sixth Pravasi meet held

The two-day, sixth Pravasi meet held in January was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh. Inaugural session was followed by detailed interactive sessions on the social development, knowledge economy, investment and infrastructure, trade and business opportunities, empowerment of women and leadership and cultural issues. Apart from this, state specific development challenges, working session on Gulf and Asia Pacific, Africa America and Europe were held. A special session on Diaspora philanthropy with its thrust on empowerment of rural women was the hallmark of the two-day event.

The Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Sri Vayalar Ravi has said that the 6th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) marks a watershed in its relationship between India and its Diaspora, as the theme of this year’s meet has gone beyond the narrow confines of inward investment and business. Speaking at the valedictory session of Pravasi meet, the Minister said the focus of PBD-2008 has been the potential role of Indian Diaspora in the social development of the country. With its emphasis on the role of Diaspora in the empowerment of rural women through innovative means like micro-credit and self-help groups, the Minister said that three important modes of engagement viz. knowledge, philanthropy and social entrepreneurship has been discussed to build strong partnerships. Observing that the vast majority of overseas Indians have both the ability and willingness to partner in India’s progress, Sri Ravi said that they represent a reservoir of knowledge and skill to productively engage with India.

The two-day Pravasi meet was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh. Inaugural session was followed by detailed interactive sessions on the social development, knowledge economy, investment and infrastructure, trade and business opportunities, empowerment of women and leadership and cultural issues. Apart from this, state specific development challenges, working session on Gulf and Asia Pacific, Africa America and Europe were held. A special session on Diaspora philanthropy with its thrust on empowerment of rural women was the hallmark of the two-day event.

Outlining the four key initiatives of this year’s meet, Sri Vayalar Ravi expressed his resolve for establishment of an ‘India Development Foundation’ to channel overseas Indian philanthropic capital into social development causes in India. Setting up of the Global advisory council of PIOs to serve as ‘think tank’, establishment of a PIO University, implementing a mutually beneficial knowledge transfer programme encompassing a variety of disciplines are the other three initiatives highlighted in the 2-day meet.

Noting that the mini-Pravasi conclave organized in September last year was a huge success, the Minister said that India proposes to hold such mini-PBDs in other parts of the world in partnership with overseas Indian associations.

Prime Minister calls for increased Economic engagement between India and China

Shortly after his arrival in Beijing, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh met representatives of Indian business accompanying the Prime Minister on his visit to China. Led by the two business associates, CII and FICCI, the delegation of business leaders appraised the Prime Minister on recent trends in bilateral trade and investment flows. They drew attention both to the opportunities and to challenges faced by Indian business in China.

After listening to their statements and observations, the Prime Minister called for increased economic engagement between India and China. He urged Indian business leaders to study China and to identify opportunities for business and greater engagement. Dr. Singh observed that a large part of the thinking in India about China is shaped by western views of China, and that there is need for greater investment in India in a better understanding of the processes of change in China.

The Prime Minister said, “The rise of China and India should be viewed as an ‘international public good’ by the global community, since it offers new opportunities to sustain global growth. At a time when there are concerns about a global economic slowdown, China and India can sustain global growth through their own development.”

Dr. Singh added, “It is a historic necessity for the two great neighbours to work together. There will be areas of competition, and there will be areas for cooperation. There is enough space in the world for both countries to continue to grow and address the developmental aspirations of their peoples.”

Urging Indian business to “think big”, the Prime Minister said, “Indian business is ready to face the brave new world of globalization. China is an important part of that brave new world. We must engage China and learn to both compete and cooperate.”

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