Premier Li Keqiang
President of CPAFFC Madame Li Xiaolin
Hon’ble Chief Ministers, Governors and Mayors
This is a historic moment in the relationship between India and China.
Today, we are launching a new vehicle for advancing cooperation between our two countries.
In times to come, this will become one of the most important instruments for deepening our economic partnership and contact between our people.
As someone who has been Chief Minister for thirteen years and Prime Minister for one, this forum has a special place in my heart.
But, it is not just my sentiments that lead me to give such importance to this new institution.
It comes from a serious conviction, born from my experience, that states have a vital role to play in the national development.
This is especially true for large and populous countries, with a high degree of geographical, social and economic diversity.
It becomes even more relevant, when the constitutional and political systems are federal in structure.
These attributes exist in both India and China, the world's two most populous nations.
In India's Constitution, state governments have predominant role in economic and social development.
The Central Government creates the macro-economic environment. It can set the broad social and economic agenda and directions for the nation.
It can launch development policies and schemes. It can manage resources.
But, in the end, the state governments have an important role in their implementation.
But, as I saw in my own experience, state governments can take innumerable initiatives for the development of the states.
That is the level of autonomy and responsibility that they enjoy under our Constitution.
In the same national environment, states are performing at different levels.
For business investors, too, whether they are Indian or foreign, their journey may begin in Delhi, but their success ultimately depends on state capitals.
Many of the critical requirements for success – infrastructure, land, utilities, skilled human resources and many approvals –ultimately depend on the state governments.
But, for me, the involvement of states in our national effort is not just because of their constitutional and legal responsibilities.
It is also stems from a basic management principle. The chances of success are higher when we create a sense of participation for everyone; when we give everyone a stake in success.
That is why I speak of Team India. That is why I believe that the foundation for India's development will not be the single pillar of the Central Government, but 30 pillars comprising the Central Government and all our States.
It follows from the simple logic of science that this foundation will be stronger and more stable. It can support a much taller structure of development.
That is why I speak of Cooperative Federalism, when the Centre and the States are partners. I also speak of cooperative and competitive federalism, in which states compete with each other to attract investments and jobs.
We have moved quickly in the past year to give shape to this vision.
When we replaced the old Planning Commission with the institution called Niti Ayog, we gave a formal place and role for state governments in an institution of this nature for the first time in India.
We have radically increased the amount of resources that the Central Government must transfer to the state governments.
And, when we began to raise large revenues from the auction of our coal, it also filled the coffers of the states where the mines are located.
I am asking my ministries to move conferences out of Delhi to state capitals and other cities, so that they do get the benefits that come from hosting such events.
More than anything else, we deal with the state governments in a spirit of partnership and with sensitivity to their concerns.
And, in doing so, we do not look at the symbol of the political party that is in power in the state.
Which is why, when I invited state governments to participate in this event, I did considered the linkages of their states with China, but also broader political representation.
Every nation needs strong international partnerships for its progress. The linkage has deepened in an integrated world.
As international partnerships in trade, investments, innovation, technology, tourism, education, skills and health grow, state governments have a stake in them and responsibility for their success.
I have found, both through outbound and inbound state delegations, that state level interactions can be often more focused and productive.
A number of decisions can be taken quickly by the state governments.
These interactions also make the state governments more sensitive and aware of the international dynamics and requirements.
Therefore, I attach great significance to this forum.
It is the first that India has with any country.
And, it is appropriate that it has started with China.
We are two of the world's largest economies and among its fastest growing major economies. We have enormous economic synergies.
We also face similar challenges. We have some similar experiences.
We have both seen differences in the pace of development in different parts of our countries.
Our economic relations are growing rapidly.
During President Xi's visit last year, we set for ourselves an ambitious plan to take our economic relations to a new level.
We agreed on China setting up two industrial parks in India – in Maharashtra and Gujarat. We are pleased that both Chief Ministers are here. We have agreed on cooperation in the upgrading of India's railway sector.
I have invited Chinese companies to invest in India's manufacturing sector. President Xi spoke of 20 billion dollars of Chinese investments over the next five years. Some of the business agreements will take shape in Shanghai tomorrow.
I believe it will be much easier to translate our vision into reality, if provincial and state governments come into closer contacts.
It will also serve our other interests – especially promoting greater people-to-people contacts, which is at the heart of all relationships.
Between India and China, we already have sister-state relationships between Gujarat and Guangdong. We also have a number of sister-city relations.
During this visit, we will see the launch of Karnataka Sichuan relations and four sister-city relationships.
It is also consistent with this spirit that President Xi began his visit to India in Ahmedabad and I started this visit in Xian.
These are welcome developments. We are truly taking our relationship outside our national capitals to state capitals and cities.
So, it is a great pleasure for me to join Premier Li in launching this forum. It will have our full support. And, I wish it all success.
Thank you.

PM Modi’s request to 130 crore Indians on ‘Tika Utsav’, an initiative to vaccinate maximum people begins today
PM @narendramodi's Tika Utsav initiative to vaccinate maximum people begins on 11th April
— Shalini Bajpai😷 Stay Safe (@sbajpai2811) April 11, 2021
A #TikaUtsav or #VaccineFestival will begin across the country from Sunday to give COVID vaccine jabs to maximum people.#LargestVaccineDrivehttps://t.co/kUEXRddNFW pic.twitter.com/sGB9bDG5KE
Another massive effort for people to win against the pandemic woos by @narendramodi Ji
— Kishor Jangid 🇮🇳 (@kishorjangir_) April 11, 2021
Pls do follow these 4 request from PM ModiJi
1. Each one, vaccinate one
2. each one, treat one
3. each one, save one
4. Help identify,create micro-containment zones#TikaUtsav pic.twitter.com/PPJwr1Q1Fe
सर्, आपकी अपील कोरोना की लड़ाई में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका और लोगो को सुरक्षित रखने वाले टीका उत्सव में भाग लेने के लिए जरूर प्रेरित करेगी और टीका उत्सव इस महाबीमारी मे मील का पत्थर साबित होगा। आपकी सरकार के कदम इस लड़ाई में सराहनीय है और हम सब मिलकर ये लड़ाई जरूर जीतेंगे। pic.twitter.com/xetBG4vAyY
— Nishant🇮🇳 (@iNishant4) April 11, 2021
Surely we will win in this battle against Covid-19 with your wonderful guidance sir 🙏
— Rani D. I (@ImaculateRani) April 11, 2021
We will celebrate this 'TIKA UTSAV'👍with your four points:
🍎Each one Vaccinate
🍎Each one Treat one
🍎Each one Save one
🍎Socity nd people should lead in creating Micro containment zones
भारतीय सभ्यता के भारतीय धर्म मे नये भारत के निर्माता ओर भाग्य विधाता आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी भारतीय सभ्यता के भारतीय धर्म की रक्षा ओर सेवा के लिए क्षत्रिय का बचन ही देश का शासन है क्योंकि #मोदी_है_तो_मुमकिन_है जय हिन्द जय मां विश्वभारती
— sandeep kumar (@thakurhpkangra) April 11, 2021
Micro-Containment Zone is a beneficial idea. At present Societies are doing sanitising of bldgs and helping families in home quarantine or other help..
— Rohini (@rohisush1307) April 11, 2021
Thank you @narendramodi sir, Today my father got his first dose of #Covaxin he is absolutely fine.. and i also urge who are legible please take the #vaccine it is safe.#TikaUtsav #vaccinated @PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA @BharatBiotech
— Laughter_Academy (@manishlaugh) April 11, 2021
India has emerged as the country to administer 100 million doses of COVID19 vaccine the fastest & lead the fight globally, this continued zeal boost up the confidence among citizens
#ModiHaiTohMumkinHai #LargestVaccineDrive : India becomes fastest country to administered #100million #COVID19Vaccine doses in 85 Days.
— Zahid Patka (@zahidpatka) April 11, 2021
Kudos PM @narendramodi Ji Govt & ranks 3rd in the World in terms of total Vaccinations https://t.co/wk0P8A8Ks5@PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/l3KnHpg4uC
India has become the fastest country to administer 100 mn #COVID19 vaccine doses: @MoHFW_INDIA #India took just 85 days,US and China took 89 & 102 days respectively to reach the 100 mn mark.
— Dr. Abhishek Srivastava (@JNUAbhishek) April 10, 2021
Kudos to PM @narendramodi @drharshvardhan and all health workershttps://t.co/taUh2OJBsU
100 million vaccines and that too in most efficient way,no hue and cry, no long queues and people returning with smile!!
— Vikash Sharma #SwadeshiWarrior (@VikashSharmaIB) April 10, 2021
I know 100 million is not that significant if we see our overall population but so far it has been great progress!
Kudos to Shri @narendramodi Ji🙏🙏
#India 🇮🇳vaccine Distribution & it's diplomacy
— Prashant (@ParshantGhosh) April 11, 2021
-Exported 65 Million doses in 85
Countries
-100 Million (10 Crore) #Indian💉 Vaccinated Till April 10
-Fastest to reach 100 million -Vaccination in World
-Vaccinating 4 Million people a day
-Vaccine Cost - free & 250 Rupees (3.5$) pic.twitter.com/ENMX9ihauu
Proud moment for us all.
— Richik Sarkar (@Irichiksarkar) April 11, 2021
🇮🇳, under the visionary leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, has become the fastest country in the world to administer 100 million doses of COVID19 vaccine in just 85 days.
इसीलिए कहते हैं- ‘मोदी है तो मुमकिन है।’#Covaxin #VoteBJP4SonarBangla pic.twitter.com/rQtXJm5CJj
Today, India reached 100 Million mark for COVID-19 vaccination. We’re the fastest nation in the world to administer 100-million vaccines:
— Chinmay Barhale (@CBarhale) April 10, 2021
India - 85 days
USA - 89 days
China -102 days
There is long way to go. But important milestone. Stay safe everyone. #vaccine #CovidVaccine
Citizens reflected that Modi Govt policies towards sustained growth is key to India’s future
India received over $20 billion FDI flows during last year. This shows that India is becoming a leading destination for foreign investment. Kudos for #TransformingIndia from a passive market to an active investment hub. Proud of you! 👏👏
— Dr. Swapnil Mantri (@drswapnilmantri) April 10, 2021
NHAI Plans For Record Highway Construction, To Award Projects Worth Rs 2.25 Lakh Crore In 2021-22 https://t.co/uidTQwUDGO via @swarajyamag #pragatikahighway #transformingindia
— Shishir Bajpai 🇮🇳 (@sbajpai2806) April 10, 2021
Kudos to PM @narendramodi Ji and @PiyushGoyal Ji.
— Oxomiya Jiyori 🇮🇳 (@SouleFacts) April 10, 2021
Running of Electric Train between Bongaigaon And Rangia officially started from yesterday . DRM V A Malegaonkar received the train at Rangia Railway Station at 9.45 PM pic.twitter.com/DkxHmxc3tr
Hearty Tributes to Shri Mahatma Shri Jyotiba Phule Ji on his birth anniversaryhttps://t.co/BZO8i9mjEn Shri Narendra Modi Ji, your wider wisdom has well rooted knowledge of the region and the people's mind & heart - Salute Ji
— Venkatesapalani Thangavelu (@Ven070670) April 11, 2021
The completion of 131 Km electrification of Karwa-Bijoor under @KonkanRailway
— Vikas Singh Chauhan (@VikasSinghSkier) April 11, 2021
Electrification Project that was started by Shri @sureshpprabhu as Railway Minister in 2015 under the leadership of @pmoindia
Shri @narendramodi
ji will lead to boost in tourism nd agro exports. https://t.co/tJfVN95dzq
INDIAN ECONOMY GROWING FASTER AND FASTER DAY BY DAY
— 🇮🇳 Dr. Kamal 🇮🇳🐦 (@kamal_naishad) April 11, 2021
GDP GROWTH FOR 21-22 MAY BE +15%
Exports swell to $6.8 billion in April first weekhttps://t.co/y0UgYVSxaj pic.twitter.com/sTtd9dJFgI