Guest Deadbolt Report post Posted April 12, 2005 India, China agree to form 'strategic partnership' after talks in New Delhi April 11, 2005 12:57 PM EDT NEW DELHI - India and China agreed Monday to form a strategic partnership, with Asia's two emerging powers creating a diplomatic bond that would tie together nearly one-third of the world's population. The agreement, announced during a South Asia tour by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, reflects a major shift in relations between the two countries, whose ties have long been defined by mutual suspicion, and is yet another step in a spreading charm offensive by Beijing, which is trying to build ties with its neighbors and ensure regional stability for economic growth. "This is an important visit. We are working to promote friendly ties of cooperation between our two countries," Wen told reporters after a ceremonial welcome by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at New Delhi's pink sandstone presidential palace. Those friendly ties, though, aren't limited to India. Wen has been to ****stan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in recent days, hoping to reassure its neighbors that increasing clout does not make it a regional danger. "Some people are worried that a stronger and more developed China would pose a threat to other countries. Such worry is completely misplaced," Wen told a meeting of Asian officials in Islamabad last week. But the agreement with India also underscored the power that the two nations are increasingly comfortable about wielding. "India and China can together reshape the world order," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told reporters Monday. Left out of the equation, at least for now, was the United States, which recently has been set on improving ties with New Delhi, announcing last month it wanted to help India become a world power. Chinese leaders insist they're not worried about the warming U.S.-India ties, despite Washington's apparent attempts to counter China's power in Asia by boosting India's economic and political profile. However, India and China, which together have a population of more than 2.3 billion, took care not to offend the United States on Monday, with the joint statement making no reference to a multipolar world. Analysts said the agreement would not be a major concern for Washington. "The U.S. would not be overly worried about the strategic partnership or that it would be directed against it," said Kanti Bajpai, a prominent Indian foreign affairs specialist. "Washington is fully aware that there are too many India-China contradictions" remaining, including various boundary disputes and the close ties between China and ****stan, India's longtime rival. On Monday, China and India sealed their agreement with the joint statement and a set of accords aimed at ending one long-standing border dispute and boosting economic ties. "The leaders of the two countries have therefore agreed to establish an India-China strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity," the statement said. The partnership would promote diplomatic relations, economic ties and contribute to the two nations "jointly addressing global challenges and threats," it said. The agreement "signifies an upgradation in ties," Shyam Saran, India's foreign secretary, told reporters Monday, adding "the partnership is not a military alliance nor is it directed against a third country." Both nations have been seeking to expand their influence as their economic power has grown. But China, in particular, has been on a diplomatic initiative. In the last week, Wen signed a cooperation treaty with ****stan promising to help it resolve disputes with India. China is already ****stan's main trading partner and a major military backer. A day later, Wen was in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, signing accords to help the poverty-ridden country. From there he flew to Colombo, offering to help Sri Lanka reconstruct the harbors, roads and other infrastructure destroyed by the December tsunami. The diplomatic offensive is rooted in two things China desperately wants abroad: resources and tranquility. China is already the world's No. 2 oil importer, and its appetite for all sorts of industrial raw materials is growing, sparking such agreements as oil and gas deals with Venezuela, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Australia and Russia. On Monday, Indian officials suggested the two nations cooperate for the world's shrinking energy sources. "A bidding war does not help either India or China," Saran said. In oil-rich Central Asia or Africa, "Indian and Chinese oil consortiums could work in tandem." In Asia, though, what matters most to Beijing is stability. Despite its galloping economy, the vast majority of Chinese have missed out on the economic boom, and China wants a stable region that will allow it to focus its energy inward. As part of this campaign, China has shifted emphasis in relations with India from rivalry to cooperation. Monday's talks also resulted in a raft of agreements for cooperation in such diverse areas as civil aviation, finance, education, science and technology, tourism and cultural exchanges. China also signaled its support for India's quest for a seat in an expanded United Nations Security Council. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted April 12, 2005 That's a whole lotta people... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
I like Forums 0 Report post Posted April 12, 2005 Its the begining of the end for Western Civilization. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted April 12, 2005 Its the begining of the end for Western Civilization. No, the beginning of the end was Starbucks. This will BE the end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Deadbolt Report post Posted April 12, 2005 Its the begining of the end for Western Civilization. Thats a weird thing to say Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted April 12, 2005 The biblical prophecies of the Armies of the East, and the New Roman empire marching on Isreal, are starting to come true. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stephen Joseph 0 Report post Posted April 12, 2005 Oh please, let's not get overdramatic. We've still got the Americas all wrapped up. How long did we think we'd control the other side of the Pacific anyways? Ain't no damn prophecies coming true. Besides, I'm not aware of such "biblical" prophecies in the bible anyways. Revelations says nothing on such. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianGuitarist 0 Report post Posted April 12, 2005 Did anyone else notice Pakistan was half censored? I found it hilarious. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LaParkaMarka 0 Report post Posted April 12, 2005 I just noticed that now. So bizarre. Where is this article from? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Deadbolt Report post Posted April 13, 2005 My uncle sent me the article. He didn't say where it was from. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Ol' Smitty 0 Report post Posted April 13, 2005 The biblical prophecies of the Armies of the East, and the New Roman empire marching on Isreal, are starting to come true. Haha! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted April 13, 2005 Well, on the bright side, it is not something anybody will ever say to you. Well, considering that nobody takes you seriously and all... -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Ol' Smitty 0 Report post Posted April 13, 2005 Well, on the bright side, it is not something anybody will ever say to you. Well, considering that nobody takes you seriously and all... -=Mike *dejectedly goes off to do some reading* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted April 13, 2005 The biblical prophecies of the Armies of the East, and the New Roman empire marching on Isreal, are starting to come true. Haha! Dr. Jack Van Impe told me! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
