Not Mausam, not Maritime Silk road, but aasetu-himachalam Indian Ocean Community, linked by Tin Road older than Silk Road
See: http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.in/2014/12/rearranging-united-indian-ocean-states.html?q=tin+road
Map of Indian Ocean Community![]()
Ready to link Maritime Silk Route plans with India’s ‘Mausam’ project, China says
![Ready to link Maritime Silk Route plans with India’s ‘Mausam’ project, China says]( "Ready to link Maritime Silk Route plans with India’s ‘Mausam’ project, China says")
An Indian Navy warship of the Eastern Fleet. India is seeking to draw on its ancient linkages with countries in this region as it offers an alternative which could counter-balance the Maritime Silk Route of China. (TOI file photo by A Prathap)BEIJING: Ahead of this week's annual defence dialogue, China has expressed its readiness to work with India to link its ambitious Maritime Silk Route plans with India's "Mausam" project in a bid to address New Delhi's strategic concerns and derive "common benefits".
Defence secretary RK Mathur will lead the Indian defence delegation at the talks due to be held here on April 8-9 during which the two countries would discuss a wide range of measures to step up cooperation between the defence forces of the two countries.
Significantly, ahead of the key meeting Chinese foreign ministry said China looks forward to stepping up interaction with India to identify the meeting point for their strategic interests in South Asia, especially the Indian Ocean region.
READ ALSO: Modi's 'Mausam' manoeuvre to check China's maritime might
"China is ready to work with South Asian countries, including India, Sri Lanka, to strengthen policy communication, identify the meeting point of their development strategies, explore effective ways of mutually beneficial cooperation and common benefit of the region, countries and the people," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told PTI.
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She was responding to a question on China's ambassador to India Le Yucheng's recent comments to media that China wants to have communication with India to link the "belt and road" initiatives with New Delhi's "Spice Route" and "Mausam" projects.
During last year's defence dialogue, the two sides discussed prospects of joint naval exercises in addition to the "Hand in Hand" exercises being held annually between the two armies to promote military-to-military relations.
Last month, a high-level Air Force delegation from India came here for the first high-level interaction.
READ ALSO: China says Silk Road taking shape despite India's reluctance to join
According to officials, the defence dialogue covers talks on mutual perspectives on South Asia, the China-India relationship, bilateral military ties and issues relating to the borders.
The calls for policy coordination followed Chinese President Xi Jinping formally launching the multibillion dollar Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road (MSR) projects.
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Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China is ready to work with South Asian countries, including India, Sri Lanka, to strengthen policy communication, identify the meeting point of their development strategies.
The projects are also called the "belt and road" initiatives and China has devoted a $40 billion-fund besides finance facility from its Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) being launched with $50 billion capital later this year for them. India has joined the AIIB as a founding member. Xi also mooted India-China-Sri Lanka trilateral cooperation during his last month's talks with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena here.
An Indian Navy warship of the Eastern Fleet. India is seeking to draw on its ancient linkages with countries in this region as it offers an alternative which could counter-balance the Maritime Silk Route of China. (TOI file photo by A Prathap)
BEIJING: Ahead of this week's annual defence dialogue, China has expressed its readiness to work with India to link its ambitious Maritime Silk Route plans with India's "Mausam" project in a bid to address New Delhi's strategic concerns and derive "common benefits".
Defence secretary RK Mathur will lead the Indian defence delegation at the talks due to be held here on April 8-9 during which the two countries would discuss a wide range of measures to step up cooperation between the defence forces of the two countries.
Significantly, ahead of the key meeting Chinese foreign ministry said China looks forward to stepping up interaction with India to identify the meeting point for their strategic interests in South Asia, especially the Indian Ocean region.
READ ALSO: Modi's 'Mausam' manoeuvre to check China's maritime might
"China is ready to work with South Asian countries, including India, Sri Lanka, to strengthen policy communication, identify the meeting point of their development strategies, explore effective ways of mutually beneficial cooperation and common benefit of the region, countries and the people," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told PTI.
![]()
She was responding to a question on China's ambassador to India Le Yucheng's recent comments to media that China wants to have communication with India to link the "belt and road" initiatives with New Delhi's "Spice Route" and "Mausam" projects.
During last year's defence dialogue, the two sides discussed prospects of joint naval exercises in addition to the "Hand in Hand" exercises being held annually between the two armies to promote military-to-military relations.
Last month, a high-level Air Force delegation from India came here for the first high-level interaction.
READ ALSO: China says Silk Road taking shape despite India's reluctance to join
According to officials, the defence dialogue covers talks on mutual perspectives on South Asia, the China-India relationship, bilateral military ties and issues relating to the borders.
The calls for policy coordination followed Chinese President Xi Jinping formally launching the multibillion dollar Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road (MSR) projects.
![]()
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China is ready to work with South Asian countries, including India, Sri Lanka, to strengthen policy communication, identify the meeting point of their development strategies.
The projects are also called the "belt and road" initiatives and China has devoted a $40 billion-fund besides finance facility from its Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) being launched with $50 billion capital later this year for them. India has joined the AIIB as a founding member. Xi also mooted India-China-Sri Lanka trilateral cooperation during his last month's talks with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena here.
Defence secretary RK Mathur will lead the Indian defence delegation at the talks due to be held here on April 8-9 during which the two countries would discuss a wide range of measures to step up cooperation between the defence forces of the two countries.
Significantly, ahead of the key meeting Chinese foreign ministry said China looks forward to stepping up interaction with India to identify the meeting point for their strategic interests in South Asia, especially the Indian Ocean region.
READ ALSO: Modi's 'Mausam' manoeuvre to check China's maritime might
"China is ready to work with South Asian countries, including India, Sri Lanka, to strengthen policy communication, identify the meeting point of their development strategies, explore effective ways of mutually beneficial cooperation and common benefit of the region, countries and the people," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told PTI.
She was responding to a question on China's ambassador to India Le Yucheng's recent comments to media that China wants to have communication with India to link the "belt and road" initiatives with New Delhi's "Spice Route" and "Mausam" projects.
During last year's defence dialogue, the two sides discussed prospects of joint naval exercises in addition to the "Hand in Hand" exercises being held annually between the two armies to promote military-to-military relations.
Last month, a high-level Air Force delegation from India came here for the first high-level interaction.
READ ALSO: China says Silk Road taking shape despite India's reluctance to join
According to officials, the defence dialogue covers talks on mutual perspectives on South Asia, the China-India relationship, bilateral military ties and issues relating to the borders.
The calls for policy coordination followed Chinese President Xi Jinping formally launching the multibillion dollar Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road (MSR) projects.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China is ready to work with South Asian countries, including India, Sri Lanka, to strengthen policy communication, identify the meeting point of their development strategies.
The projects are also called the "belt and road" initiatives and China has devoted a $40 billion-fund besides finance facility from its Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) being launched with $50 billion capital later this year for them. India has joined the AIIB as a founding member. Xi also mooted India-China-Sri Lanka trilateral cooperation during his last month's talks with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena here.
The "belt and road" projects aim at increasing China's influence in the region besides reviving its slowing economy. The projects also plan to connect China with Europe and Africa by road, rail and sea.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ready-to-link-Maritime-Silk-Route-plans-with-Indias-Mausam-project-China-says/articleshow/46814526.cms
Narendra Modi’s ‘Mausam’ manoeuvre to check China’s maritime might
Indian Navy warships in the Arabian Sea. New Delhi has been alarmed by the interest shown by Sri Lanka and Maldives in Beijing's maritime silk route initiative. (TOI file photo)
NEW DELHI: As China's President Xi Jinping comes calling on Wednesday, India is all set to launch what is probably the Narendra Modi government's most significant foreign policy initiative for countering Beijing's growing influence in the Indian Ocean region.
Long accused of remaining a mute spectator to China's expanding interests in the region — and the astounding success of Beijing's "maritime silk road" proposal — India will soon launch its own Project Mausam, a transnational initiative meant to revive its ancient maritime routes and cultural linkages with countries in the region.
Titled Project Mausam: Maritime Routes and Cultural Landscapes Across the Indian Ocean, the project focuses on the natural wind phenomenon, especially monsoon winds used by Indian sailors in ancient times for maritime trade, that has shaped interactions between countries and communities connected by the Indian Ocean.
TOI has learned that foreign secretary Sujatha Singh held a meeting with culture secretary Ravindra Singh to discuss how to give shape to the project, garbed in India's cultural linkages but with a serious strategic dimension, in light of the Chinese emphasis on the maritime silk route.
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According to sources, Project Mausam aims to explore the multifaceted Indian Ocean "world"— extending from East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka to the Southeast Asian archipelago.
While India is also among the countries invited to join China's maritime silk route initiative, New Delhi has been alarmed by the interest shown by Sri Lanka and Maldives in the Chinese proposal, which ostensibly seeks to revive ancient economic linkages. Xi will become the first Chinese president to visit these two countries later this week.
Infrastructure push
The government will seek to draw on its ancient linkages with countries in this region as it offers an alternative which could counter-balance the maritime silk route of China. India also faces the onerous task of matching China's emphasis on building landmark infrastructure in the region, including ports in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. While the facilities are said to be civilian, India fears China getting operational control of these.
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An Indian Navy warship of the Eastern Fleet. (TOI file photo by A Prathap)
Long accused of remaining a mute spectator to China's expanding interests in the region — and the astounding success of Beijing's "maritime silk road" proposal — India will soon launch its own Project Mausam, a transnational initiative meant to revive its ancient maritime routes and cultural linkages with countries in the region.
Titled Project Mausam: Maritime Routes and Cultural Landscapes Across the Indian Ocean, the project focuses on the natural wind phenomenon, especially monsoon winds used by Indian sailors in ancient times for maritime trade, that has shaped interactions between countries and communities connected by the Indian Ocean.
TOI has learned that foreign secretary Sujatha Singh held a meeting with culture secretary Ravindra Singh to discuss how to give shape to the project, garbed in India's cultural linkages but with a serious strategic dimension, in light of the Chinese emphasis on the maritime silk route.
According to sources, Project Mausam aims to explore the multifaceted Indian Ocean "world"— extending from East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka to the Southeast Asian archipelago.
While India is also among the countries invited to join China's maritime silk route initiative, New Delhi has been alarmed by the interest shown by Sri Lanka and Maldives in the Chinese proposal, which ostensibly seeks to revive ancient economic linkages. Xi will become the first Chinese president to visit these two countries later this week.
Infrastructure push
The government will seek to draw on its ancient linkages with countries in this region as it offers an alternative which could counter-balance the maritime silk route of China. India also faces the onerous task of matching China's emphasis on building landmark infrastructure in the region, including ports in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. While the facilities are said to be civilian, India fears China getting operational control of these.
An Indian Navy warship of the Eastern Fleet. (TOI file photo by A Prathap)
While the maritime silk route is likely to see China further intensify its naval activities in the region, India is looking to do more than just play catch up. It has offered a $100 million concessional credit line to Vietnam for purchasing patrol boats and is focusing on enhancing naval cooperation through joint naval exercises and working on issues of maritime security.
"India is the founding member of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium as well as Contact Group on Piracy. The Indian Navy commenced antipiracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and the sea routes of the Indian Ocean in 2008. India has started cooperating with Maldives and Sri Lanka on maritime security in trilateral format since October 2011," said an official.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Narendra-Modis-Mausam-manoeuvre-to-check-Chinas-maritime-might/articleshow/42562085.cms
China's silk road is taking shape despite India's reluctance to join
Chinese leaders are still persuading India to join the plan.
BEIING: China is confident that its Silk Road Economic Belt plan has basically taken shape although India, a crucial link in the program, has not yet agreed to join it. Chinese leaders are still persuading India to join it.
"The Silk Road Economic Belt will be characterized by openness and reciprocity, and China welcomes all sides' participation in the plan and sharing of the benefits," Chinese vice foreign minister Cheng Guoping told journalists.
The statement comes ahead of vice premier Li Keqiang's upcoming tour to Kazakhstan and Thailand, where he will push for infrastructure projects connected with the program. He will also attend the meeting of the prime ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries. China is also trying to enlist SCO's support for its program.
The Silk Road belt initiative involves building road, rail and industrial infrastructure connecting countries on the ancient Silk Route. Besides, South Asia, China is trying to link countries in central Europe and Russia.
Kazakhstan, which can give China a passage to Eurasia and has come forward with the proposal of linking its own development projects with the Silk Road plan, hopes to link its own development plan.
Cheng said there are many advantages to China-Kazakhstan cooperation, which include a joint-venture logistics base to enhance connectivity in the areas of highways, railways, ports, air routes, and oil and gas pipelines.
"China is very willing to communicate with every other SCO member on its respective development strategy and the plan for regional economic cooperation," said Wang Shouwen, assistant minister of commerce, also at a media briefing.
"The Silk Road Economic Belt will be characterized by openness and reciprocity, and China welcomes all sides' participation in the plan and sharing of the benefits," Chinese vice foreign minister Cheng Guoping told journalists.
The statement comes ahead of vice premier Li Keqiang's upcoming tour to Kazakhstan and Thailand, where he will push for infrastructure projects connected with the program. He will also attend the meeting of the prime ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries. China is also trying to enlist SCO's support for its program.
The Silk Road belt initiative involves building road, rail and industrial infrastructure connecting countries on the ancient Silk Route. Besides, South Asia, China is trying to link countries in central Europe and Russia.
Kazakhstan, which can give China a passage to Eurasia and has come forward with the proposal of linking its own development projects with the Silk Road plan, hopes to link its own development plan.
Cheng said there are many advantages to China-Kazakhstan cooperation, which include a joint-venture logistics base to enhance connectivity in the areas of highways, railways, ports, air routes, and oil and gas pipelines.
"China is very willing to communicate with every other SCO member on its respective development strategy and the plan for regional economic cooperation," said Wang Shouwen, assistant minister of commerce, also at a media briefing.
The Chinese premier will put forward "practical measures" to boost cooperation among the SCO members on security, trade, investment, finance, agriculture, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges, with a view to the long-term development of the bloc.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/China-says-Silk-Road-is-taking-shape-despite-Indias-reluctance-to-join/articleshow/45506242.cms
China kicks off $79.8bn Silk Road infrastructure project
The six-year development project will add more than 60,000 kilometres of road, including 4,070 km expressways, and improve the connectivity of the existing transportation network
BEIJING: China has launched a massive $79.8 billion infrastructure project in the northwest province of Gansu which will facilitate trade and people exchanges between China and central Asia as part of its ambitious Silk Road plan.
Though the province does not share its borders with any central Asian countries, it will be an important stretch of the Silk Road Economic Belt, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.
The six-year development project will add more than 60,000 kilometres of road, including 4,070 km expressways, and improve the connectivity of the existing transportation network, it said.
Though the province does not share its borders with any central Asian countries, it will be an important stretch of the Silk Road Economic Belt, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.
The six-year development project will add more than 60,000 kilometres of road, including 4,070 km expressways, and improve the connectivity of the existing transportation network, it said.
The provincial authorities have not released the funding source, but officials said that local government-backed financing vehicle Gansu Provincial Highway Aviation Tourism Investment Group had invested in the project.
Road construction receives fiscal support from the central government.
The province is also expected to build 12 civilian airports in the next six years, expanding the reach of its air service to 82 per cent of the province's population, at 25.57 million in 2010.
Since the third quarter of last year, China has approved a slew of transportation projects to boost regional connectivity.
It also launched a $40 billion fund backed by the country's foreign reserves to support infrastructure building in countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
The Silk Road projects involved a maze of roads and ports connecting Asia, Europe and Africa.
China has invited India to join President Xi Jinping's pet project that would revive the ancient trade route by building a wide network of new silk roads on land and seas to enhance global connectivity.
The projects were expected to revive China's trade links specially its sagging exports besides globally enhancing its sphere of influence.
India which has been invited to take part in the Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM) and the Maritime Sill Road (MSR) said it will selectively back the initiative.
While India is taking part in the meetings for BCIM, it is yet to give its response on MSR.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/China-kicks-off-79-8bn-Silk-Road-infrastructure-project/pmarticleshow/46421152.cms?prtpage=1