WPA’s Secretary General Zhang Qi met with Imran Khan, member of WPA Youth Committee and Chairman of Agatha Industrial India Pvt Ltd. in Shanghai on Nov. 8, 2023 to explore the potential for China-India agricultural cooperation. The meeting coincided with the 2nd Global Peasant Forum, and the signing of an important framework agreement between the two parties marks a new milestone in cooperation. 

During the meeting, the two parties reached a chili production and trade cooperation agreement. The agreement calls for the construction of a modern chili primary processing plant in India, combining the channel advantages of China Agriculture Cooperation Association (CACA) with the distinct advantages of the Indian partners to create a new Indian chili industrial chain to meet China's consistent demand for high-quality Indian chilies. At the same time, the initiative intends to establish a new Indian chili corridor from India to China’s Qinzhou Port, and then to Zunyi in Guizhou.Indian chilies are mostly consumed by food and catering firms in Sichuan and Chongqing, and transportation costs can be greatly lowered owing to the logistical advantages of Qinzhou Port and Zunyi.

Aside from the chili project, the two parties have discussed mutually beneficial commerce in iron ore and deep-processed chili products. India has abundant iron ore resources, while China, the world's largest importer, has a high demand for iron ore. Both parties can gain from the growth of iron ore trade, resulting in a win-win situation. At the same time, India needs to import a considerable quantity of deep-processed chili products (capsicol) each year, whereas Chinese companies have access to the entire supply chain, from seed research and development to planting and processing. Through reciprocal trade, the Chinese side will jointly explore the markets of the two nations and give the Indian side agency rights for capsicol and iron ore at rates that are competitive with the market.

Furthermore, the parties deliberated extensively regarding the site, staffing, and other aspects of China Agriculture Cooperation Association's proposed office in New Delhi, India.

All things considered, WPA and Agatha Industrial India Pvt Ltd.’s partnership agreement marks a new step in Sino-Indian agricultural cooperation. The above initiatives will support bilateral trade balance, foster agricultural development that is sustainable in both countries, and bolster collaboration in the areas of agricultural technology exchange and talent training.

The meeting was attended by Zhang Guoqing, Director of WPA’s International Cooperation Division; Zhang Guoqiang, Director of General Administration Division; Cheng Renyong, Assistant to Director of General Administration Division; Liu Hanwu and Li Shun from WPA’s India Office.