India, Russia, China Meet Begins in Bangalore
The foreign ministers of India, Russian and China have begun a meeting to find out more business opportunities in important sectors and collaboration on playing a bigger role in world affairs.
Besides, the three foreign ministers – SM Krishna, his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, and his Chinese colleague Yang Jiechi – will exchange views on regional and international issues as well.
This trilateral meeting is being held for the third time, which India’s IT capital Bangalore is hosting. The second South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was conducted 23 years ago in November 1986 under then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
It may be mentioned that SM Krishna hails from Karnataka and has served as chief minister of the state.
“The foreign ministers of the three countries will discuss trade and business opportunities in infrastructure, energy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and nanotechnology for mutual benefit,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said on Monday evening.
“Some of the global issues on the agenda are climate change, world trade and the global financial crisis from which the world is gradually emerging,” Prakash added.
Needless to add, the three countries form world’s 20 per cent of the global landmass and 39 per cent of global population.
The interaction is being held against the backdrop of bilateral meetings Krishna and Lavrov had during the 15th session of the Indo-Russian inter-governmental commission in Moscow on October 21; and between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at Hua Hin, Thailand, on the margins of the Indo-ASEAN summit on October 24.
“The process also encourages academic exchanges. India enjoys most important and time-tested relations with Russia based upon mutual trust, continuity and understanding,” Prakash said.
