Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Li Keqiang discuss steps to boost India-China economic ties

BEIJING: Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia today called on Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and discussed steps to enhance India-China economic cooperation.

Ahluwalia, who headed the Indian delegation at the third round of the just-concluded Strategic Economic Dialogue talks here, told Li that the talks were successful as the two countries identified specific areas of cooperation, especially in the area of Railways.

"We had a very good meeting of the SED. We have made progress in identifying the specific areas of cooperation, especially the railways," he told Li.

The SED focused on Chinese financial and technical assistance to modernise the Indian Railways.

The two sides identified three special areas, heavy haul of railway freight, increasing speed of the existing tracks and development of railway station.

The two sides proposed to set up a task force to pursue cooperation in this regard, he said.

Li said he is happy about the successful completion of the annual SED, which functioned directly under the Prime Ministers of the two countries.

"I am very happy about the future prospects of economic cooperation between our two countries," he said.