India, China can strengthen strategic cooperation: Hu
Nov 21, 2006 - 6:04:15 PM
, Reviewed by: Priya Saxena
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More than the ceremony, what the large number of Chinese delegation members and those in the media contingent will perhaps remember more is the grandeur of the setting. With the forecourt forming the perfect backdrop, the President's Bodyguard stood out in their blue and gold turbans, red tunics, white breeches and black, knee-length booths, holding lances from which fluttered blue and white pennants.
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By Indo Asian News Service,
[RxPG] New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS) Sounding distinctly upbeat, Chinese President Hu Jintao said Tuesday he looked forward to further developing the 'strategic cooperation' between his country and India.
'I look forward to strengthening friendship, increasing mutual trust and expanding cooperation during my visit,' he said in a brief statement after being accorded a ceremonial welcome in the forecourt of the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan.
'I look forward to deep discussions on strengthening our bilateral relations,' he said, speaking through an interpreter. Hu, the first Chinese president to visit India in 10 years, arrived here Monday on a four-day visit.
An 18-gun salute boomed out as Hu's cavalcade drove into Rashtrapati Bhavan escorted by mounted riders of the President's Bodyguard. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were on hand to greet the visiting dignitary.
He then advanced to a canopied dais to take the salute presented by an inter-services guard of honour. The Indian and Chinese national anthems were played and Hu then inspected the honour guard.
Recalling that Sino-Indian 'friendship dates back to centuries', he said he took 'great pleasure' in noting the 'tremendous success in development' this country had achieved.
'Twenty-two years ago, I had the pleasure of visiting India. It gives me great pleasure to return to a great country like India at the invitation of President Kalam,' Hu said.
'I convey to the people of India the best wishes of the Chinese people. India is a great country and Indians are a great people,' he added.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, who is Hu's minister-in-waiting, National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan and the Indian Navy chief, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, were among those present on the occasion.
More than the ceremony, what the large number of Chinese delegation members and those in the media contingent will perhaps remember more is the grandeur of the setting. With the forecourt forming the perfect backdrop, the President's Bodyguard stood out in their blue and gold turbans, red tunics, white breeches and black, knee-length booths, holding lances from which fluttered blue and white pennants.
Not surprisingly, many of the visiting Chinese spend considerable time in photographing each other from a variety of angles, with the imposing dome of Rashtrapati Bhavan and the President's Bodyguard being the favourites.
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