Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Xi'an and held summit-level talks during which the two leaders discussed a host of issues, including terrorism and the need to share information between the two nations.
"Discussions were wide ranging and detailed, atmosphere was very comfortable," India's foreign secretary S Jaishankar told reporters after the bilateral talks which lasted for about 90 minutes. India also raised the issue of trade deficit during the talks, Jaishankar said. "On the political side, there was a lot of discussion on strengthening trust and increasing convergence," said Jaishankar.
He said the two leaders discussed the boundary issue, including peace and tranquility, besides trans-border rivers. The boundary issue has been a sticking point in the relations between the two major Asian countries and both are making efforts to settle it through Special Representatives' talks. The Special Representatives have held 18 rounds of discussions so far. Earlier, Modi, who was undertaking his first visit to China as Prime Minister, reached the ancient city of Xi'an and was accorded a grand welcome. Xi met him at Xi'an and welcomed him warmly.
Modi speaks India's mind on China's foreign policy
Modi did some straight talking about India's unease over aspects of China's foreign policy. He also pointed out that the source of terrorism for both India and China was the same, without naming any country. “I stressed the need for China to reconsider its approach on some of the issues that hold us back from realizing the full potential of our partnership. I suggested that China should take a strategic and long-term view of our relations,” Modi said.
A visiting head of government laying down his country's interests in the Great Hall of the People is not an everyday occurrence. For many here, used to the gentle wording of international diplomacy, this came as a surprise.
Modi took up the issue of terrorism while talking to students at the Tsinghua University in Beijing. “We both face instability in our shared neighbourhood that can threaten our security and slow down our economies,” he said. “The spreading tide of extremism and terrorism is a threat we both face; for both, its source is in the same region,” he said.
At the joint press meet with Chinese premier Li Keqiang, Modi described his conversations with the Chinese leadership as “candid, constructive and friendly.” “We covered all issues, including those that trouble smooth development of our relations,” Modi said. Modi also indicated that bonding with India could be a better option for China instead of relying on the policies of countries that produce terrorism, sources said. Li Keqiang was equally candid. “We do not deny there are some disagreements between us but there's a mechanism and sufficient political maturity to address these,” he said. “We stand ready to work with India to bring China-India relations to new heights,” he said.
The two neighbours need not even bother about Western countries trying to keep them apart, Li suggested without naming any country. “I suggested that China should take a strategic and long-term view of our relations. I found the leadership responsive,” Modi said at the presser, well attended by Western and Russian media. He also expressed happiness about Chinese responses to India's concerns over the border issue.
“I found sensitivity to our concerns on this issue; and, interest in further intensifying confidence building measures. I also reiterated the importance of clarification of Line of Actual Control in this regard,” he said. The two countries issued a joint statement promising to resolve outstanding differences, including the boundary question.
E-visas for Chinese nationals
While addressing students and faculty at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing, Modi said that India would grant e-visas to Chinese tourists. “We have decided to extend electronic tourist visas to Chinese nationals,” Modi told the gathering.
Addressing the gathering at the university, Modi said, “About 33 per cent of the world’s population is either Indian or Chinese. Yet, our people know very little of each other. We must seek inspiration from the pilgrims of the ancient times, who braved the unknown in search of knowledge, and enriched us both,” he said. “So, we have decided to extend electronic tourist visas to Chinese nationals. We are celebrating the Year of India in China in 2015,” he added.
The announcement came in the teeth of strong opposition from India's home ministry and security agencies over security concerns of its misuse, while the external affairs ministry and ministry of tourism pressed for it.
Take advantage of India’s potentials, Modi tells CEOs
Addressing CEOs at the India-China Business Forum, Modi said both India and China have potentials of growth and problems of poverty “which we can tackle together. I am personally committed to take the cooperative process forward.”
Highlighting the significance of a sound relationship between two of Asia’s major economies, he said: “Harmonious partnership between India and China is essential for economic development and political stability of the continent.” He further said: “This industrial partnership of China and India can bring about greater investment, employment and satisfaction of our people.”
As many as 21 agreements were signed between Indian and Chinese firms worth $22 billion at the India-China Business Forum. Asking Chinese companies to take the “historic opportunity” to invest in India, Modi said: “We have committed ourselves for creating and improving the business environment. I can assure you that once you decide to be in India, we are confident to make you more and more comfortable.”
Many Chinese companies have the possibility of investing in India to take advantage of India’s potentials. The potential lies in manufacturing, processing as well as in infrastructure, he added.
Highlighting the steps taken up by his government to improve ease of doing business, he said: “We are making the taxation system transparent, stable and predictable. We have removed lot of regressive taxation regimes.”
