This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6175372.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Key China-Pakistan deals awaited China and Pakistan to sign deal
(about 13 hours later)
Chinese President Hu Jintao is in Pakistan after three days of trade and political talks in India. Chinese President Hu Jintao is expected to sign a free trade deal with his Pakistani counterpart, Pervez Musharraf, during talks in Islamabad.
He was given a red-carpet welcome by President Musharraf and other officials at the start of his four-day visit. Diplomats say the agreement could triple the value of bilateral trade within five years, to $15bn.
President Hu is also expected to give a live television address to the Pakistani nation later on Friday.
He arrived in the country on Thursday after holding three days of trade and political talks in India.
President Hu's visit to Pakistan - amid tight security - is the first by a Chinese leader in a decade.
The two countries are expected to cement their 55-year relationship with accords on trade, culture and energy.The two countries are expected to cement their 55-year relationship with accords on trade, culture and energy.
The state-run Chinese news agency said unprecedented agreements were expected to be signed with Pakistan during Mr Hu's visit, but gave no details. At a dinner on Thursday evening, Gen Musharraf told President Hu that Pakistan's friendship with China remained constant despite changing global circumstances.
We are good neighbours, close friends, trusted partners and dear brothers President Hu Jintao India and China's new course We are good neighbours, close friends, trusted partners and dear brothers President Hu Jintao India and China's new course
There has been speculation that they could involve a big expansion of Chinese assistance to Pakistan's nuclear power industry. The state-run Chinese news agency Xinhua said "unprecedented" agreements were expected to be signed with Pakistan during Mr Hu's visit, but gave no further details.
There has been speculation that these agreements could involve an expansion of Chinese assistance to Pakistan's nuclear power industry.
China has already built an atomic power plant in Pakistan while a second is under construction.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says Pakistan wants China to help it build more nuclear power reactors to meet growing energy demands, especially since the US has refused to provide the kind of civil nuclear assistance it has promised India.The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says Pakistan wants China to help it build more nuclear power reactors to meet growing energy demands, especially since the US has refused to provide the kind of civil nuclear assistance it has promised India.
Pakistan and China have a long-standing agreement on nuclear co-operation and China is one of Pakistan's main suppliers of conventional weapons. Pakistan and China have a long-standing agreement on nuclear co-operation, and China is also one of Pakistan's main suppliers of conventional weapons. The two countries are jointly developing a fighter aircraft.
Our correspondent says historically the two countries formed a bloc against India - but economic considerations are now more important than obsolete Cold War rivalries. China has also ploughed millions of dollars in a "megaport" in southwest Pakistan to gain access to the Arabian Sea.
Important agreementsImportant agreements
Correspondents say that President Hu's visit is intended to reassure Pakistan - Beijing's closest ally in South Asia - of its strategic and economic support despite closer ties with India. Our correspondent says that, historically, China and Pakistan formed a bloc against India - but economic considerations are now more important than obsolete Cold War rivalries.
President Hu's visit is intended to reassure Pakistan - Beijing's closest ally in South Asia - of its continued strategic and economic support despite China's closer ties with India.
Indian obstacles facing ChinaIndian obstacles facing China
President Hu's visit - amid tight security - is the first by a Chinese leader in a decade. Mr Hu's four-day visit to Pakistan was preceded by a landmark trip to the Indian capital Delhi, and financial centre Mumbai ( Bombay).
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz greeted President Hu and his wife on their arrival from Mumbai (Bombay) after the landmark three-day trip to India. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz greeted President Hu and his wife on their arrival in Islamabad.
Soldiers fired off a 21-gun salute and huge red banners showing Mr Hu and his Pakistani counterpart were strung up around the capital and along the route from the airport. Soldiers fired off a 21-gun salute, and huge red banners showing Mr Hu and his Pakistani counterpart were strung up around the capital.
A state banquet was later held in Mr Hu's honour.A state banquet was later held in Mr Hu's honour.
"We are good neighbours, close friends, trusted partners and dear brothers," he told those present, promising a new era of co-operation. "We are good neighbours, close friends, trusted partners and dear brothers," Mr Hu told those present, promising a new era of co-operation.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that several important agreements would be signed during the president's "very significant" visit. Pakistan's foreign ministry said on Thursday that several important agreements would be signed during the president's "very significant" visit.
"China has been a consistent and a reliable friend of Pakistan for the last 55 years and we have very deep and strong co-operation in all areas," foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told AFP news agency. "China has been a consistent and a reliable friend of Pakistan for the last 55 years, and we have very deep and strong co-operation in all areas," foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told AFP news agency.
"A number of agreements will be signed during this visit which will further strengthen existing co-operation in various fields," Ms Aslam said.
She said that recent reports that the two countries may sign a nuclear deal similar to one agreed by India and the US earlier this year were "speculative".
"However we have a long-standing co-operation in the civil nuclear field with China and a broad ranging agreement was signed in February 2006 when President Musharraf visited China."
'Megaport'
On Friday, President Hu will deliver a live television address to the Pakistani nation, the first foreign leader to do so since US President Bill Clinton in 2000.
The two countries have close economic ties.
China has built an atomic power plant in Pakistan while a second is under construction. Beijing is the largest arms supplier to Islamabad and the two countries are jointly developing a fighter aircraft.
China has also ploughed millions of dollars in a "megaport" in southwest Pakistan to gain access to the Arabian Sea.
India is suspicious of China's close support for Pakistan and its military ties with India's historical rival.
But Mr Hu has said his country could help forge peace between the South Asian rivals and that Beijing sought no "selfish gains" in South Asia.