NEW DELHI, Nov 22: Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Wednesday his country was not pursuing any selfish objectives in South Asia and that Beijing fully supported the improvement of India-Pakistan relations.
On his third day in Delhi, President Hu also met political leaders form the right to the left of the spectrum, including BJP’s Lal Kishan Advani and CPI-M chief Prakash Karat.
He said a peaceful and prosperous South Asia was beneficial for entire Asia and the world at large.
"China welcomes and supports improvement in relations between India and Pakistan," President Hu said. The Chinese president is scheduled to visit Islamabad after concluding his tour of India with a meeting with business heads on Thursday.
"China does not seek any selfish gains in South Asia," he emphasised and said that Beijing stands ready to play a "constructive role for promotion of peace and development of the subcontinent".
Around 200 delegates accompanying the Chinese President will hold meetings with Indian companies.
Various companies from the pharma, information technology, iron and steel and oil and power sectors are expected to sign MoUs for doing business in China.
Qudssia Akhlaque adds from Islamabad: Chinese President Hu Jintao arrives in Pakistan on Thursday on a four-day state visit that promises to intensify bilateral cooperation and fortify Sino-Pak strategic partnership that has remained steadfast against the backdrop of major regional and global changing geo-strategic scenarios.
His visit is the first by a Chinese President in 10 years since a trip by his predecessor Jiang Zemin in 1996 and it is expected to take Sino-Pak relations to a new high point. During the visit 18 agreements are likely to be signed in the public and private sectors, including the Free Trade Agreement. Pakistan and China have initialled 31 agreements and MoUs in the past two years.
The new agreements would strengthen bilateral, social cultural and economic relations, increase trade exponentially and pave the way for enhanced Chinese investment in Pakistan in diverse fields, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told a news briefing on Monday.
While no agreement will be formally inked in the field of civilian nuclear technology, it will figure in the Chinese President’s discussions with the top Pakistani leadership here.
President Hu Jintao on his first visit to Pakistan will be accompanied by Madam Hu and a high-powered entourage including the foreign minister. When President Hu arrives at the Chakala Airbase in the evening aboard his special aircraft, he will be received by President Gen Pervez Musharraf. Later in the evening President Musharraf will host a banquet in his honour at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. The two leaders will hold formal delegation-level talks the following day during which they will review multi-facetted bilateral relations, regional issues and other international developments of mutual interest.
President Hu Jintao will also have an interaction with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
