Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a 3-country foreign tour from 14-19 May during which he will visit China, Mongolia, and South Korea.
14-16 May, China
Modi’s visit to China will be his first since taking office but his second bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, following their first meeting in India in September last year.
Modi will start his trip with Xi’an on 14 May, where he will meet with Xi. Modi will also visit places of cultural interest, with associations to Chinese history and civilisation in Xi’an.
On 15 May, Modi will travel to Beijing and meet Chinese Premier Li Keqiang with whom he will likely conclude agreements.
Modi will also attend the first meeting of the India-China State and Provincial Leaders’ Forum- an event which will see the presence of Chief Ministers and Mayors from both countries. He will also attend cultural events, like the Yoga-Tai Chi joint event at the Temple of Heaven and address a public gathering at the Tsinghua University.
In Shanghai, Modi will interact with CEOs of various Chinese companies and sign several business agreements. Additionally, he will be visiting Fudan University and inaugurating a Centre for Gandhian Studies. Modi will also be address a community function in Shanghai.
Bilateral trade figures between India-China: $65.88 billion (2013)
Indian exports to China: $ 14.50 billion (Cotton yarn, non ferrous metals, iron and mineral ores, plastic and linoleum products, spices, dyes).
Chinese exports to India: $ 51.37 billion (Electronic goods, machinery, organic chemicals, fertilizers, steel, transport equipment, electrical machinery).
17 May, Mongolia
Modi’s visit to Mongolia will be the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister.
Modi will begin with a trip to the Gandan Monastery. This is be followed by meeting with the Mongolian Prime Minister, Chimed Saikhanbileg, where the two leaders are expected to sign several agreements. Modi will meet with the Speaker of the Mongolian Parliament and also address their holiday House, the first such honour bestowed upon a foreign leader. Modi will then meet President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj of Mongolia at the luncheon banquet organised by the latter. Finally, he will be addressing a community reception in Ulan Bator.
India will likely sign deals on cooperation in the field of nuclear technology for curing cancer, solar and wind energy, medicine and homeopathy, cyber security, border management, and culture. The agenda also includes the setting up of an Indo-Mongolian school in Ulan Bator. The countries are also expected to sign agreement on air services, as well as on animal health and dairy, besides the training of diplomats.
Bilteral trade between India and Mongolia: $35 million (2013).
Indian exports to Mongolia: $34.2 million (Medicines, mining machinery, auto parts).
Mongolia’s exports to India: $0.8 million (Raw wool)
18-19 May, South Korea
South Korea will be the final destination of Modi’s three-country tour.
Modi is expected to sign the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention, along with agreements in the areas of shipping and logistics, audiovisual co-production, transport, highways among others. Cooperation is also expected in new energy industries, credit utilisation strategy, infrastructure, IT, science and technology, and other areas.
Modi will have official bilateral talks and sign agreements in the evening, followed by a banquet dinner hosted by President Park Geun-hye. On May 19, Modi would participate with Geun-hye in the 6th Asian Leadership Conference organised by the Chosun Ilbo group. This would be followed by a visit to Cheonggyecheon, a stream which was cleaned up and serves as a model for other similar projects around the world. Next, Modi will attend a business event and the India-Republic of Korea CEOs Forum, and meet CEOs of Korean companies for investments in India.
Finally, he will visit the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan, since shipbuilding is a crucial area of cooperation for the two countries.
Bilateral trade figures between India and South Korea: $17.57 billion (2013).
Indian exports to South Korea: $6.18 billion (Mineral fuels/oil distillates (mainly naphtha), cereals, iron and steel).
South Korean exports to India: $11.39 billion (Automobile parts, telecommunication equipment, petroleum-refined products, mechanical appliances, iron & steel products).
All trade figures are from the Ministry of External Affairs, India, country briefs