India, China agree to raise bilateral trade to $100 billion

• India and China today agreed to raise the bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2015, step up investments and permit banks of other countries to open branches and representative offices.
• The two sides also decided to reduce the trade deficit, which is in favour of China, said a joint communiqué issued after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
• The bilateral trade between India and China is expected to be around USD 60 billion in 2010. The bilateral trade imbalance was against India to the extent of USD 19 billion during 2009—10.
• China agreed to support Indian participation in its national and regional trade fairs, enhance exchange and cooperation of pharmaceutical supervision and expedite completion of phytosanitary negotiations on agro products.
• Earlier, RBI Deputy Governor Shyamala Gopinath and Vice Chairman of China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in the banking and financial sectors between the two countries.