New Delhi: The new Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, called on External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi Tuesday amid strained relations between India and China due to the ongoing border standoff in eastern Ladakh.
Xu assumed office on 31 May after a 15-month vacancy in the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi — the longest in India-China history since the 1962-1976 gap.
“Discussed our bilateral relationship and our common interest in its stabilization and progress,” Jaishankar later said in a brief statement on X, posting a picture of his meeting with Xu.
The Chinese envoy said in a post on X that the two exchanged views on China-India relations and other issues of common interest. But, he added a caveat: “Look forward to working with the Indian side to push forward the development of China-India relations towards the right direction.”
From issuing greetings on International Yoga Day to posting videos of ethnic Uighurs in Xinjiang celebrating Eid, the new Chinese ambassador has been fairly active on social media.
Eid Mubarak to all! May this festival bring happiness and peace across the world. Look at how citizens from Xinjiang enjoyed this festival. pic.twitter.com/tgZSD5vfXl
— Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) June 17, 2024
He also occasionally weighs in on what Indian newspapers are reporting regarding the India-China relations.
On 17 June, he criticised the Indian media coverage of the G7 Summit in Italy by posting: “Quite surprised that China seems to be ‘present‘ in spite of ‘absence’. China welcomes and supports all efforts for peace. It is the US that pours weapons and munition into Ukraine, while shifting the blame to others, sees the crisis as an opportunity to slap sanctions.”
“If G7 really wants faster transition from fossil fuels, they should walk the talk by stopping hyping ‘China’s overcapacity‘ and ending monopoly on technology,” added Xu.
He has also been vocal about his support for Gazans at a time when the Indian government has tried to maintain a delicate balancing act between Israel and Palestine since Hamas launched attacks on Israel last October.
When the war first broke out, Modi condemned the 7 October attacks, which set India apart from reactions in the ‘Global South’ and closer to the position of Western countries at the time. However, days later, the Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the Indian government maintains its “long-standing” position on the need for a two-state solution.
Apart from Jaishankar, the new Chinese envoy has met former foreign secretary Shyam Saran, Communist Party of India’s D. Raja and Communist Party of India (Marxist)‘s Sitaram Yechury since taking charge of his office.
He also met former ambassador Vijay Thakur Singh, the Director-General of India’s oldest think tank, the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), earlier this month, after which he remarked that Chinese and Indian think tanks have a significant role to play in a “sound and positive” China-India relationship.
Other former ambassadors, who have met the new Chinese envoy, include Ashoka Kantha and Sujan Chinoy.
The Dean of Diplomatic Corps and Eritrea Ambassador to India Alem Tsehaye Woldemariam was the first to meet Xu upon his arrival in India in late May.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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