India rolls red carpet for Chinese FMs first trip

[Ray]

India rolls red carpet for Chinese FMs first trip

After feting SAARC Heads of State at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony, the Ministry of External Affairs is readying to roll the red carpet for its first big visitor from outside the subcontinent — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Mr. Wang lands in New Delhi early Sunday morning and will fly out on Monday night with many meetings on the anvil.

On Sunday, he will meet with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, as the two leaders acquaint each other with the road ahead on Sino-Indian ties. On the agenda, according to sources, would be the meeting schedule for Special Representatives (SRs) to discuss the most pressing bilateral issue of resolving the border dispute between both the sides.

India is keen to narrow the vast trade deficit of $31 billion, even as the two countries close in on their goal of $100 billion bilateral trade by 2015. Commerce and Industry MoS Nirmala Sitharaman also tweeted that she had been briefed on bilateral trade issues by Indian Ambassador to China Ashok Kantha ahead of Mr. Wang's visit.

The two sides are also scheduled to talk about issues such as energy cooperation, Afghanistan and counter-terrorism, especially Jihadi terrorism, in the wake of a rise in attacks emanating from China's Xinjiang province.

"China and India both being victims of terrorism... face similar challenges in counter-terrorism," said Mr. Wang in an exclusive interview to The Hindu in Beijing. "China stands ready to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation with India to better safeguard the common security interests of the two countries," he added.

Mr. Wang and Ms. Swaraj, who are expected to hold a joint press conference after their meeting, will also initiate preparations for Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit later this year to Delhi.

Mr. Wang will call on President Pranab Mukherjee and NSA Ajit Doval on Monday. China is keen to have President Mukherjee attend a special commemoration of 60 years of the Panchsheel Treaty in Beijing on June 28th. Mr. Modi will also meet with Mr. Wang on Monday, and set the course ahead of his own trip to the BRICS summit in Brazil in July, where he will meet President Xi.

Officials said Mr. Wang's trip is essentially an ice-breaker for the two countries, and contentious issues, including Tibet, hydel projects on the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra, and Mr. Modi's tough stand on Arunachal Pradesh during his campaign are unlikely to come up. It is considered significant, however, that the new government included the Prime Minister of the Tibetan-Govt in exile Lobsang Sangay at Mr. Modi's oath of office ceremony in May.

India rolls red carpet for Chinese FMs first trip - The Hindu
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The manner in which China has hotfooted to India. indicates that they are incredibly keen to weigh up Modi since he is not the run of the mill wimp that have been PMs.

It is also to China's surprise that even with the adverse situation with China, India has not gone defensive and instead even had the Tibetan PM in exile as an honoured guest at the swearing in of Mr Modi, giving a clear indication that India can play ball.

Further it has given resolve by India that Arunachal is not a piece of territory that India will turn over and play dead. It has the AP Minister as the Minister of State and the retired Army Chief as the Minister in charge of the NE. Meaning, it is not business as usual.

Of course. for the Chinese trade and money is all that they are interested in as the elixir of life and so that is also an area of interest.

They are also concerned that the PM's second visit is to Japan and that sure is not to their liking.

In other word, India is ready to play ball and China wants to know what is the ball park they are looking at.

 

[Ray]

More consensus than differences with India, says Chinese Minister

Mr Wang is optimistic that a solution to boundary issue could be found

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who begins an official visit to New Delhi on Sunday, has expressed optimism that India and China, under the new leadership of Mr Narendra Modi, could find a solution to the vexed boundary question, by showing "strong will and resolve". Mr Wang stressed that both sides had "more strategic consensus than differences".

In an exclusive interview with The Hindu, Mr. Wang, who will on Sunday establish the first high level contact from Beijing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, called on both sides to ensure that differences over the border dispute do not "affect the normal development of our relations".

Mr. Wang, in written responses to questions submitted by The Hindu, also revealed that President Xi Jinping had personally instructed him to visit India as his "special envoy" soon after Mr. Modi took office, underscoring the Chinese leadership's intent to quickly establish contact with the new government in New Delhi. He also confirmed that Mr. Xi will visit India later this year - his first visit as President - although the Chinese leader will is likely to meet briefly with Mr. Modi in July on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Brazil.

The Chinese Foreign Minister praised Prime Minister Modi for showing the world "resolve and courage" by setting an agenda to push reforms and development and for injecting "vigour and vitality" immediately after taking charge.

His comments indicate that the Chinese leadership believes Mr. Modi's government will embark on a "reform and development" process akin to what former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping unleashed three decades ago. The Chinese government, he said, wants to invest in special industrial zones in India as well as share its experiences of reforms from 30 years ago.

"My trip brings a most important message to the people of India — China stands by your side throughout your efforts of reform and development," Mr. Wang said. "It is a trip to convey messages and to get to know more friends."

He said while it was "unavoidable that between neighbours, there might be certain issues left from history or some differences in immediate interests", both countries "have much more strategic consensus than differences".

"No country can choose its neighbour, but friendship may be fostered," he said. "Certain issues may not be avoided, but innovative answers could be found. One can not rewrite history, but the future is in our hands."

Mr. Wang said China "highly appreciated" India's support following a string of recent terror attacks in its western Xinjiang region. Describing terror as a common challenge, he said Beijing "stands ready to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation" - an issue that has, in the past, figured lower on the agenda considering China's ties with Pakistan.

On trade relations, the Chinese Foreign Minister acknowledged both sides were yet to make the most of the untapped potential, which he likened to "the emerging tip of a massive buried treasure that awaits your discovery".

Last year, bilateral trade declined by 1.5 per cent on account of a slump in Indian exports of ores, propelling the trade deficit to a record $ 31.4 billion. China has proposed boosting mutual investments to bridge the gap. Mr. Wang expressed optimism that both sides would soon finalise an agreement on setting up Chinese industrial parks in India.

Excerpts of the interview

As a new government takes office in New Delhi, this is the first high-level visit from China. How does China view the future of working with the government under Prime Minister Modi?

I am very honoured to visit India as the special envoy of President Xi Jinping shortly after the new government took office. I was here in this beautiful country many times, but this trip is different. It is a trip to convey messages and to get to know more friends. It is also a trip to cement our existing friendship and explore further cooperation. India was a cradle of splendid ancient civilisation, and I am glad to see this country gaining new vigour and vitality.

Less than two weeks into office, the new Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has already shown to the world its resolve and courage in pushing forward reform and development, and its sincerity and enthusiasm in seeking friendship and cooperation with other countries. The international community, impressed by the great opportunities in India, is full of confidence in the future of the country.

My trip brings a most important message to the people of India — China stands by your side throughout your efforts of reform and development, and your pursuit of dreams. China is ready to work with our Indian friends for an even brighter future of our strategic and cooperative partnership.

How does China view the current situation along the boundary?

The boundary question is indeed a difficult one, but with strong will and resolve, we will eventually find a solution. Even if we could not resolve it for the time being, we could at least manage it effectively, not allowing it to affect the normal development of our relations. Thanks to our joint efforts, the border areas between China and India have on the whole enjoyed peace and stability over the past 30 years and more. What has happened proves that as long as we respect and accommodate each other's concerns, and insist on managing differences through dialogues instead of confrontation, we are surely able to properly handle the boundary question, and to reduce its impact on our bilateral relations to the minimum level.

The Border Defence Cooperation Agreement signed last year represents further efforts by the two sides to strengthen communication and properly manage differences on the basis of a series of existing mechanisms related to the boundary question. It will help increase direct engagement and mutual trust between the Chinese and Indian border troops and promote peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

It is unavoidable that between neighbours, there might be certain issues left from history or some differences in immediate interests. However, let me emphasise that China and India have much more strategic consensus than differences, and cooperation is our top priority. No country can choose its neighbour, but friendship may be fostered. Certain issues may not be avoided, but innovative answers could be found. One cannot rewrite history, but the future is in our hands.

On the trade front, both sides have been discussing setting up China-dedicated industrial parks in India. What is the current status?

To carry out cooperation on industrial zones is one of the important agreements reached between leaders of the two countries. An important piece of experience we have drawn from China's sustained and rapid economic growth over the past 30 years and more is the setting up of development zones to attract foreign investment with preferential policies and promote cluster development of industries. China is willing to share its experience and cooperate with India in this regard.

At the current stage, competent authorities of the two countries are negotiating on relevant agreements, which are expected to be finalised and signed soon. China has sent a delegation to India to inspect the prospective sites of the zones. To my knowledge, some Chinese businesses are already on the move and have begun construction on the ground. We hope that India will introduce more preferential policies and investment facilitation for Chinese businesses so that we can push for early, substantive outcome of such cooperation and foster signature projects of China-India practical cooperation.

China recently suffered a series of terror attacks. Considering the increasing and common challenges faced by both countries in this regard, do you see any room for India and China to do more on counterterrorism cooperation?

Recently, China was hit by a number of serious violent terrorist attacks. The Indian government publicly stated its position immediately after the attacks, standing together with China and condemning the terrorist attacks. China highly appreciates India's position.

China and India, both being victims of terrorism, share common interests and face similar challenges in counter-terrorism, and enjoy broad prospects for cooperation in this area. The two sides have already had good cooperation in terrorism-related issues, including policy exchange and joint exercises. Going forward, China stands ready to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation with India to better safeguard the common security interests of the two countries.

More consensus than differences with India, says Chinese Minister - The Hindu
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And here it is from our pro China rag.

 

[Compersion]

https://twitter.com/ambkcsingh/status/475599692592472064

Chinese FM here2 assess if Tibetan PM at Modi swearing, ArnchlPrdsh MP as MOS, Frmr army chief as MOS4 NEast are change of style/ substance.