MUMBAI: Indian pubcaster Doordarshan has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China Central Television (CCTV). The agreement between the two is for exchange of television programmes, promotion of co-production on themes of mutual interest and training production and technical staff.

The MoU aims to help develop greater understanding between the two broadcasters and strengthen cooperation in the field of television and broadcasting. 

The agreement was signed by Prasar Bharati CEO Jawahar Sircar and CCTV president Nie Chen Xi. The move came after Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and Chinese premier Li Keqiang expanded the cooperation between the two countries from films to television co-productions. 

Sircar said that the agreement between CCTV and Doordarshan will foster better people to people understanding between the two countries.

According to Sircar, the agreement will enable Doordarshan and CCTV to share programmes free of cost. The two will share programmes relating to art, culture, education, science, agriculture, entertainment, tourism, sports, news and current affairs along with human interest, development and success stories.

DD and CCTV will jointly produce TV programmes on areas of mutual interest, which include documentaries on the travels of Fa Xian and Hieun Tsang to India.

The MoU also envisages mechanisms to promote training for programme and technical staff of the two broadcasters through exchange and bilateral visits of DD and CCTV personnels. 

The programmes exchange between the two channels will begin by the end of this year.