India, China vow to boost bilateral ties
Sushma meets Wang; Modi, Xi to meet in China on April 27-28; China socialism entering a new era and India is at a crucial stage of development: China FM
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi opened talks here on Sunday, pledging to improve bilateral ties.
Sushma Swaraj and Wang lauded each other for promoting Sino-indian ties, which were marred by a 73-day military stand-off in Doklam last year.
“This year, under the guidance of our leaders, China-india relations have achieved good development and Madam Minister have made a very important contribution to that which we highly appreciate,” Wang said.
“On the eve of closing of China’s NPC this year, President Xi Jinping received a very important phone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders had very in depth exchange and reached important consensus on furthering the China-india relationship. We must work very hard to implement that,” Wang added.
Sushma Swaraj congratulated Wang for being appointed as State Councillor and China’s special representative on the border issue with India.
“I am delighted to be in Beijing and very happy to meet you again. I also congratulateyou for being promoted as china’ s State Councillor and re-appointment as Foreign Minister.
“I am also happy for you being appointed as China’s Special Representative on border talks with India.
“This shows the leadership has a strong faith in your abilities. And I think with the new responsibilities, you will contribute more to India-china ties.” The Indian Minister also congratulated Xi Jinping for being re-elected as China’s President.
“In the new tenure (of Xi), we will work with the Chinese leadership and take the India-china relationship to a new high,” she said.
Modi and Xi Jinping will have an informal summit meeting in China’s central city Wuhan, which diplomats feel may mark a defining moment in the ties between the two Asian giants.
This was announced by Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi after their talks.
The top leaders of the two fastest growing economies will meet on april 27-28.
“As agreed between the two sides, President Xi and Prime Minister Modi will have an informal summit (meeting) from April 27 to 28 in Wuhan, Hubei province,” Wang said.
“We see socialism with Chinese characteristics is entering a new era and India is at a crucial stage of development and revitalisation. It is against this backdrop that President Xi and Prime Minister Modi have decided to hold an informal summit,” Wang announced with Sushma Swaraj standing by his side.
Modi is also slated to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation event on June 8-9 in the Chinese city Qingdao and will hold a bilateral meeting with Xi on the sidelines.
After the 73-day military stand-off at Doklam in 2017, China and India have tried to mend their ties, which is evident from the stepped up bilateral exchanges and high-level visits.
Besides the long-standing border dispute, the two countries have a host of issues that plague their relationship. The China-pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) irks India as its planned route cuts through the disputed Kashmir held by Islamabad and claimed by New Delhi.
Beijing’s opposition to New Delhi’s application at the UN to have Pakistan-based terror group chief Masood Azhar declared an international terrorist is another pesky issue between both countries.
India’s willingness to join the emerging bloc of the US, Japan and Australia to counter an increasingly assertive China in the Indo-pacific region worries Beijing. However, both sides seem to have decided to work with each other despite differences.