With a controversial nuclear deal with the United States now in limbo, India held out the possibility of civilian nuclear cooperation with China. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on the last day of a visit to China, said the world's two most populous nations -- who have a decades-long history of mistrust -- should work together to develop their nuclear energy programmes. "India seeks international cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear energy, including with China," Singh said, noting such cooperation could help the two countries meet their skyrocketing energy needs. "The rapid growth of India and China will lead to expanding demand for energy. We have no choice but to widen our options for energy availability and develop viable strategies for energy security," he said in a speech at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He did not go into further details. Singh's visit, the first here by an Indian premier in five years, comes as the two rising Asian giants try to strengthen ties and put their history of animosity behind them. The prime minister made an appeal to what he called "the Asian way -- avoiding confrontation and building trust, confidence and consensus".
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on the last day of a visit to China, said the world's two most populous nations -- who have a decades-long history of mistrust -- should work together to develop their nuclear energy programmes.
"India seeks international cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear energy, including with China," Singh said, noting such cooperation could help the two countries meet their skyrocketing energy needs.
"The rapid growth of India and China will lead to expanding demand for energy. We have no choice but to widen our options for energy availability and develop viable strategies for energy security," he said in a speech at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
He did not go into further details.
Singh's visit, the first here by an Indian premier in five years, comes as the two rising Asian giants try to strengthen ties and put their history of animosity behind them.
The prime minister made an appeal to what he called "the Asian way -- avoiding confrontation and building trust, confidence and consensus".
Singhʻs speech has been the main story on CCTV today, which has been very enthusiastic about the Indian prime ministerʻs visit to China. The entire speech was broadcast live, and the parts theyʻre playing over and over are (in bold):
In pursuing these initiatives we will do it and we shall do it the Asian way - avoiding confrontation and building trust, confidence and consensus. It is only in an environment of peace that prosperity in Asia can be sustained. India and China have an important role to play in building peace, security and stability in the region. <...> I look forward with optimism to the future and the role which India and China are destined to play in the transformation of Asia and the world as well. This optimism is based on my conviction that there is enough space for both India and China to grow and prosper while strengthening our cooperative engagement. History shows that our two civilizations, flourished for centuries, side by side, interacting and influencing each other. PM ADDRESSES THE CHINESE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
I look forward with optimism to the future and the role which India and China are destined to play in the transformation of Asia and the world as well. This optimism is based on my conviction that there is enough space for both India and China to grow and prosper while strengthening our cooperative engagement. History shows that our two civilizations, flourished for centuries, side by side, interacting and influencing each other.
PM ADDRESSES THE CHINESE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
