PM Modi, Xi vow to manage differences ‘prudently’
MAMALLAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday discussed several key issues and resolved to start a new chapter of cooperation while prudently managing their differences. They discussed several key issues, including ways to enhance trade and investment and confidence-building measures, during their nearly sevenhour one-on-one talks spread over two days in this ancient coastal town earlier known as Mahabalipuram.
The significant outcome of the second Modi-xi informal summit included setting up of a new high-level mechanism to boost trade and investment, China’s assurance to address India’s concerns in negotiations for the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), security cooperation and additional confidence-building measures to maintain peace on the border.
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, addressing a press conference at the end of the summit, said the Kashmir issue was not raised or discussed during the deliberations, but said the Chinese leader briefed Modi about Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Beijing earlier in the week.
The two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views in a friendly atmosphere on overarching, long-term and strategic issues of global and regional importance, Gokhale said.
A new era of cooperation will start between India and China on Saturday with the “Chennai Connect, Prime Minister Modi said in his remarks at the delegation-level talks after a 90-minute one-on-one conversation with Xi in a luxury resort overlooking the Bay of Bengal.
Xi said their “candid”, “heart-toheart” discussions on bilateral relations were “in-depth” and “good”, noting that maintaining and expanding the Sinoindia relations is a firm policy of his government.
The Wuhan spirit gave a new momentum and trust to our relations. Today, our Chennai Connect will lead to the start of a new era of cooperation between the two countries, Modi said, referring to outcome arrived at the first informal summit between the two leaders at the Chinese city in April last year.
The PM also said India and China were global economic powers during most of the last 2000 years and were returning to stage gradually.
On his part, Xi said the first informal summit continues to produce visible progress.
Moreover, President Xi invited Modi to visit China for the third informal summit and Modi has accepted the invitation.
Giving an account of the outcome of the summit, Gokhale said the two leaders were concerned that terrorism continues to pose a common threat.
On the vexed boundary issue, Gokhale said both sides will continue to work on additional confidencebuilding measures to enhance peace and tranquillity along the border.
Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Beijing has announced a five-year tourist e-visa with multiple entry facility for Chinese travellers, coinciding with President Xi’s visit.