By Li Han
Staff Writer of the Tsinghua News Center
Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, President of the Indian National Congress and Chair of the ruling United Progressive Alliance’s Coordinating Committee, visited Tsinghua University on October 27 and delivered an address entitled “India and China-a Harmony of Civilizations.”
In her speech, Mrs. Gandhi reviewed the historic cultural exchange between India and China and emphasized the importance of building on long traditions of peaceful contact and exchange between the two countries to sustain a catalytic partnership that is relevant for the 21st century. “I firmly believe that we have much to contribute to one another,” Mrs. Gandhi said. “Our relationship has already assumed increasing importance to the stability and prosperity of the world at large.”
In her address Mrs. Gandhi also stressed the importance of strengthening cultural ties between India and China. “We should have further exchanges between our students and artists, young professionals and creative entrepreneurs,” she urged.
In speaking of cooperation between universities of the two countries, Mrs. Gandhi noted that “there is enormous scope for collaborative efforts between universities in areas like energy, environment, biotechnology and water resources. There are numerous opportunities to pool our resources for dealing effectively with common problems and challenges.”
Tsinghua University Council Chairman Chen Xi met and exchanged ideas with Mrs. Gandhi prior to the speech.
(Photo by Guo Haijun)
