Beijing: Premier Li Keqiang has said "integrating" China's technology in India's railway and energy sectors would be a "breakthrough" in India-China cooperation, as both countries finalized plans to modernize Indian Railways with Chinese technical assistance.
"We have to integrate our technologies of high-speed railways and energy equipment with the Indian market as a breakthrough in China-India cooperation," Li said during a meeting with deputy chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
Ahluwalia, who headed the Indian delegation at the third round of Strategic Economic Dialogue held here this week, called on Li yesterday during which he apprised him of progress made in specific proposals relating Chinese cooperation to modernize Indian railways, including heavy haul of freight, improving existing rail lines to drastically increase the speed of trains.
Indian officials say India is seeking Chinese assistance for track improvement to increase the speed of trains up to 180 kmph, which they say is a cheaper option compared to high speed trains, as they require exclusive tracks covered on both sides entailing issues like land acquisition as well as big expenditure amounting to Rs. 120 crore a kilometre.
The Indian delegation included Railway Board chairman Arunanendra Kumar and his team of high powered officials.
For high speed track development, India has proposed Delhi-Agra, Delhi-Khanpur and Delhi-Chandigarh sectors as pilot projects to China. The move was expected to gather steam after the general elections in India.
