The Xi’an meeting was a positive development towards the growing cooperation between the two developing nations, a day after raising strong concerns over China’s move to block action against Pakistan over Lakhvi’s release.
Thanks to joint efforts from both the sides, the agreements reached back then are now being translated into steady progress in bilateral cooperation in such areas as parliamentary exchanges, railway, industrial parks and smart city.
— Xi Jinping, Chinese Prime Minister
Xi said the two countries should maintain high-level contact, strengthen multi-level strategic communication, complete feasibility study on major cooperation projects as scheduled and build flagship bilateral cooperation projects.
China is currently conducting feasibility study to build a high-speed rail between Chennai and New Delhi.
Xi suggested the two sides solidly implement China-India cultural exchange program and beef up think-tank, media and provincial level cooperation.
China and India should make joint efforts to push forward the development of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the BRICS New Development Bank and the Bangladesh- China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor, Xi said.
While India supported the BCIM which is part of the Silk Road initiatives, China wants India’s backing for its 21st century Maritime Silk Road projects in the Indian Ocean, where New Delhi has its own security concerns.
Modi said his country stands ready to work with the Chinese side to strengthen strategic communication and coordination and manage their differences, including those in border issues.
Modi also said that India is willing to beef up cooperation with China under the framework of BRICS and actively participate in the construction and cooperation projects of the NDB and the AIIB, which provide more opportunities for deepening India-China interaction.
A day before, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed India’s strong concerns to President Xi Jinping over China blocking its move at the UN for action against Pakistan over Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi’s release.
The issue was raised during a nearly 90-minute-long meeting between the two leaders ahead of the BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summits here.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar replied in the affirmative when asked whether the Prime Minister raised the Chinese action at his meeting with Xi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly took up the issue of China blocking the resolution. He conveyed India’s concerns.
— S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary
At a meeting of the UN Sanctions Committee last month, India had sought action against Pakistan for release of LeT operations commander Lakhvi in the 26/11 trial in violation of a UN resolution but the Chinese representatives blocked the move on grounds that New Delhi did not provide sufficient information.
India had earlier said that the Chinese action was at “variance” with progress in bilateral ties.
(With Inputs from PTI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)