Let’s do it: PM to Hu

Prime Minister Vajpayee shared the central table with President George Bush and European Union chief and Greek Premier Konstandinos Simitis ...

Prime Minister Vajpayee shared the central table with President George Bush and European Union chief and Greek Premier Konstandinos Simitis at a special dinner hosted by President Vladimir Putin for a select few tonight.

The day’s mood was set earlier when the Prime Minister met Chinese President Hu Jintao. This is, said Vajpayee to Hu, should be Asia’s century. For the next half-an-hour as the leaders of Asia’s largest powers sized each other up in their first encounter in a St. Petersburg hotel this morning, they spoke of ‘‘vigorously developing’’ their relationship — considering they took up some of the largest spaces on earth and contributed about a quarter of its population.

While Vajpayee congratulated Hu on controlling SARS, the Chinese leader recalled that he had visited India in 1984 and how it had left a ‘‘deep impression’’ on him.

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The short and sweet meeting between the two leaders did not touch upon any specifics, Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal told reporters, pointing out that it was not intended to. Sibal confirmed that ‘‘both sides have a clear desire to expand and reinforce bilateral ties, especially in the light of the Prime Minister’s forthcoming visit to China.’’

No dates were announced, but it is reliably learnt that the trip could take place from June 22-26, in Beijing, Shanghai and a third Chinese city. A Chinese delegation has been in New Delhi over the last couple of days, discussing details of a batch of 6-7 agreements, but the main action is now likely to begin to unfold.

Vajpayee was assisted by Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra and India’s ambassador to Russia K Raghunath as well as Sibal. Comrade Hu was accompanied by former Chinese foreign minister Tang Jiaxuan and a couple of other aides.

Both Chirac and Blair also complimented the Prime Minister on his peace initiatives with Pakistan. Both leaders are also said to have pointed out that they will continue to put ‘‘heavy pressure’’ on Musharraf to stop cross-border terrorism. With India having moved towards peace, Blair said, ‘‘the ball is now in Pakistan’s court.’’ With the Pakistani president visiting Paris, and London in June, New Delhi will now get ready to watch the result of those visits.

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