Hindustan Times (Delhi)

After Delhi’s tough talk, Beijing says all is well

- Sutirtho Patranobis spatranobi­s@htlive.com

PARLEYS China says talks helped reach consensus on key issues

on Thursday played down the difference­s that marked the strategic dialogue with India and insisted the talks were held in an “overall friendly” atmosphere.

Foreign secretary S Jaishankar on Wednesday concluded his two-day Beijing visit with strategic talks with executive vice-foreign minister Zhang Yesui.

He met foreign minister, Wang Yi and China’s top diplomat, state councilor, Yang Jiechi.

Speaking to the Indian media, Jaishankar said it was made clear to the Chinese officials that overwhelmi­ng evidence – and support – had been gathered against Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar, for proscribin­g him in the UN.

Foreign ministry spokespers­on Geng Shuang said: “The dialogue reached the goals as expected and is of positive significan­ce for bilateral relations.”

“Both sides agreed to maintain the momentum of bilateral relations in the spirit of agreement of two leaders, work out a good programme for 2017 at various levels, advance practical cooperatio­n, strengthen coordinati­on and cooperatio­n on regional and internatio­nal issues,” he said when asked to comment about the meeting on Thursday.

“In friendly atmosphere, the two sides had an in-depth and comprehens­ive exchange of views on bilateral relations, internatio­nal situation and other issues of mutual interest,” he said.

“The two sides reached extensive consensus and shared the view that with similar national conditions, stage of developmen­t, China and India have extensive converging interests and huge potential for cooperatio­n,” Geng added.

Geng’s comments after India dismissed China’s contention that it has not furnished enough evidence against Azhar, with Jaishankar telling senior Chinese officials that the burden of proof is not on New Delhi.

China’s efforts to block moves to sanction Azhar at the UN, despite its “principled” stand on counter-terrorism, was a political decision, he said on Wednesday. Jaishankar also reiterated India’s concerns on the ChinaPakis­tan Economic Corridor that passes through PoK, making it clear that it was a “sovereignt­y” issue and the reason why New Delhi will not be part of the Belt and Road Initiative, a massive inter-continenta­l connectivi­ty project floated by President Xi Jinping.

On the Azhar issue, Jaishankar made it clear to Chinese officials that the burden of proof is not on India.

 ?? PTI FILE ?? Foreign secretary S Jaishankar with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday.
PTI FILE Foreign secretary S Jaishankar with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday.

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