Mahabalipuram: As India pulls out all stops to roll out a grand welcome to President Xi Jinping in this ancient seaside temple town, China has said the two countries pose no threat to each other and greater cooperation between the two Asian giants would inject positive energy in ensuring peace and stability in the region and beyond.
In an exclusive interview to PTI, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said a “new set of consensus” including “guiding principles” on the development direction of India-China ties are expected to emerge from the two-day informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi beginning Friday.
The envoy said as the largest developing countries and emerging economies of the world, China and India have a responsibility to inject positive energy into a “complicated world”.
“We believe that the Summit will take bilateral relations to a higher level and have a major and positive impact on regional and world peace, stability and development,” Sun said.
Xi will arrive in Chennai on Friday on a nearly 24-hour visit to hold talks with Modi in an informal setting amid growing unease in ties between the two countries over Kashmir, particularly after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan raised the issue during talks with the Chinese leader in Beijing on Wednesday.
Also read: India-China hotline, border dispute on agenda when Modi, Xi meet this week
“The two countries pose no threat but offer development opportunities to each other. The cooperation between China and India will not only contribute to each other’s development, but also advance the process of world multi-polarisation and economic globalisation and safeguard the common interests of developing countries,” Sun said.
The Chinese envoy said the two leaders will also have in-depth discussions on the international situation and overall, long-term and strategic issues concerning the development of ties between China and India.
“A new set of consensus is expected, including a shared vision for transformation of the international system, the common responsibility and role of China and India in regional affairs, and guiding principles on the development direction of bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields,” Sun said.
“We believe that the Summit will take bilateral relations to a higher level and have a major and positive impact on regional and world peace, stability and development,” he said.
The envoy said deeper cooperation between India and China will benefit the developing countries as well as to deal with global challenges like unilateralism and protectionism.
“Unilateralism, protectionism and trade bullying are on the rise. The world is moving toward multi-polarity and economic globalisation despite twists and turns. The common threats and challenges facing human society have risen. As the largest developing countries and emerging economies of the world, China and India have a responsibility to inject positive energy into a complicated world,” he said.
Ties between India and China came under renewed strain over Kashmir after a joint statement issued after talks between Xi and Khan on Wednesday said China is paying “close attention” to the situation in the Valley.
It also said that Kashmir issue is a dispute left from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter.
After Xi-Khan meeting, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India’s consistent and clear position has been that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and China is well aware of New Delhi’s position.
Talking about overall Sino-India ties, the Chinese envoy particularly talked about cooperation in investment and energy sector, saying new progress has been made in the area.
Absolutely yes India does not pose a threat to the Chinese. But vice versa is TRUE, whereby the Chinese threat is imminent on India, and they use this threat to their advantage to gain more concessions and aiming for Arunachal Pradesh (South Tibet) and Ladhka.. PM Modi has to be more shrewd that Xi, before they use this ace card which they think can be used against us at will and fancy. The North Eastern border has to be fortified with raw harsh offensive and defensive platforms always ready to engage the PLA if challenged, Only BJP gave our country the pride and honour as we Indians cannot be taken for a ride as the Pakis and Chiks wish. Jai Hind,.
True! The government of India and the CPC of China are not a threat to each other. They are only a threat to the people they govern. One is an oblivious imbecile and another is an arrogant thug!
There is more than a germ of truth in this statement. The 4,000 kilometre disputed border covers the least valuable real estate both sides possess. It has been possible for the two countries to develop good relations in other spheres, especially trade, despite the issue remaining frozen in time. It does not serve India’s development imperatives to have tension along two fronts. Some level headed, pragmatic diplomacy is called for. 2. Pakistan is the issue the two sides are furthest apart on. It need not become the defining issue.