Pakistan and China are likely to initiate talks on civil nuclear technology and finalise agreements on Gawadar and energy sector during the upcoming visit of Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang who is making his first ever visit to New Delhi and Islamabad, Pakistan Today has learnt.
The upcoming visit of the Chinese premier is of great strategic importance for the region as he will visit both India and Pakistan in order to bring both the countries out of US influence.
On the other hand, the United States has already stroked a deal with India for transfer of civilian nuclear technology, but has not made any such agreements with Pakistan.
The visit is also important because both the countries would debate on the post-US withdrawal Afghanistan situation as American troops would pull out of Afghanistan by 2014. Terrorism is expected to be the main issue on the agenda.
Pakistan is now attempting to strike a deal for civilian nuclear technology with China as well for which talks are expected to be initiated in the upcoming visit by Li Keqiang.
Li Keqiang will make his trip from May 19-27 during which he will first visit India and then Pakistan. He will land in Islamabad on May 22 at the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari.
He will also hold talks with President Zardari followed by a lunch hosted by the Pakistani president.
Li will hold a meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso. On the next day, the Chinese prime minister will hold talks with Nawaz Sharif who recently won a heavy mandate in general polls of May 11 and is likely to be the prime minister of the country.
A source requesting anonymity told Pakistan Today that during talks with Pakistani officials, both countries are likely to ink two major accords including one on Gawadar port, whereas talks would be initiated on the transfer of civilian nuclear technology from China to Pakistan.
The source also informed that a number of small agreements and MOUs are likely to be inked between both the countries in connection with economy and the energy sector, out of which three accords would be energy agreements.
During the visit of the Chinese premier, the situation in Afghanistan, Indo-Pak relations, Pak-India-China ties and separatist Islamists movements in China would also be discussed between the leadership of both the countries.
It is the first ever visit of Li Keqiang to Pakistan after assuming the office. The visit takes place immediately after the elections in Pakistan. It will provide an opportunity to Li to meet the new leadership in Pakistan.
The visit also provides further impetus to the two countries’ strategic relations.
China and Pakistan do not advertise major agreements during photo-op summits. Your reporting may be flawed and allow others so say "the summit has failed"–Beijing and Islamabad agree on projects during summits and then execute them without fanfare.
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