China, India agree to expand trade, investment

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have agreed to expand trade and investment between the two countries.

The leaders held an informal summit in Chennai, southern India, on Saturday.

Xi said at the outset that he is confident the day's talks will further advance the two countries' ties. Modi responded that their meeting will mark the beginning of a new era of cooperation.

The meeting came as China is embroiled in a bitter trade dispute with the United States.

According to India's foreign ministry, Xi and Modi agreed to create a framework for high-level talks to expand trade and investment.

Xi is quoted as saying that Beijing is prepared to take action to reduce India's huge trade deficit with China.

Indian officials say the leaders also discussed defense cooperation, counter-terrorism, and climate change, but not the dispute over Kashmir.

India and China have a long-running border dispute. China has sided with Pakistan in opposing India's decision in August to revoke autonomy in the portion of Kashmir under its control

  NHK WORLD NEWS