Shri Rajnath Singh meets Premier Li Keqiang and other top Chinese leaders November 20, 2015

India and China to form ministerial mechanism to boost security cooperation 

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, who is currently on an official visit to China, called on Premier Li Keqiang, held delegation level talk with State Councillor and Minister for Public Security Mr. Guo Shengkun. Shri Rajnath Singh also met the Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Mr. Meng Jian Zhu in a series of meetings held in Beijing. 

The meeting with Premier Mr. Le Keqiang lasted 40 minutes during which both the sides agreed that India-China bilateral relations are important not only for both the countries but also for the region and the world. The bilateral exchanges have seen intensification in the last 18 months and there is a common consensus to take bilateral relations to a higher level. In this context, it was agreed that bilateral cooperation in the field of law enforcement is very important. 

With a view to continue the momentum of high level exchanges in this field, it was agreed to institute a high level mechanism to be jointly chaired by the Union Home Minister on the Indian side and State Councillor and Minister for Public Security on the Chinese side. 

Shri Rajnath Singh invited State Councilor Mr. Guo to visit India early next year to launch this mechanism. Mr. Guo gladly accepted the invitation to visit India in 2016. The high level mechanism will be assisted by a working level mechanism which will meet before the next ministerial meeting and make suggestions for bilateral cooperation in the field of law enforcement. 

There was a general agreement between both the countries that the process of urbanization and continuous upgradation of technology is posing new challenges for law enforcement agencies. The two sides felt there is merit in exchanging views on these challenges and initiate a process of mutual sharing, experiences and learning. It was agreed to cooperate in capacity building. 

The two sides agreed to initiate discussion on a bilateral cooperation agreement which would provide the framework for long term cooperation in the fields of law enforcement, trans-national crimes, drug trafficking, cyber security and economic offences. The two sides resolved to sign this agreement at an early date. 

Shri Rajnath Singh condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Paris during his meetings. Both the sides shared the view that terrorism is an increasingly global phenomenon which no country can fight alone. Shri Singh reiterated India’s strong opposition to terrorism in all its manifestation and agreed to enhance their counter-terrorism cooperation including exchange of information.