When India and China meet, the whole world watches: Chinese President tells Indian PM

Ahmedabad, 15 July, 2014

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, met Chinese President Xi Jinping shortly after his arrival in Fortaleza, Brazil, today on the eve of the Sixth BRICS Summit. The 80-minute meeting was the Prime Minister’s first summit-level interaction with China.

The two leaders observed that India and China had enormous opportunities to not only forge mutually beneficial partnerships, but also serve as catalytic agents of Asian and global prosperity. President Xi Jinping underscored the importance of the bilateral relationship and said: When India and China meet, the whole world watches.

Both sides emphasized on the need to find a solution to the Boundary Question. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of strengthening mutual trust and confidence, and maintaining peace and tranquility on the border. He said that if India and China could amicably resolve the Boundary Question, it would set an example for the entire world, on peaceful conflict resolution.

Shri Narendra Modi suggested the addition of one more route for the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, keeping in view the terrain difficulties. President Xi Jinping accepted this as a suggestion for consideration.

The Prime Minister called for enhanced Chinese investment in the infrastructure sector in India, and hoped that the trade imbalance between the two countries is resolved. President Xi Jinping agreed that balance in trade is necessary for a sustainable economic relationship. He also said enhanced services exports from India to China could be one way to address the issue.

Prime Minister expressed hope that President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to India this year was an opportunity to chart a new and ambitious agenda for the strategic partnership between India and China. He expressed appreciation for the invitation extended to him to visit China and looked forward to an early visit.

China has invited India to attend an APEC meeting in November this year. President Xi Jinping also said India should deepen its engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The Prime Minister said India currently has observer status in the SCO, and was ready to accept additional responsibility, if asked to.

Shri Narendra Modi warmly recalled his visits to China as Chief Minister. He underlined that relations between countries are built on the strength of relations between their people. He expressed hope for increase in tourism and ties between the people of the two ancient civilizations.

The two leaders were pleased with the opportunity to meet within a few weeks of the assumption of office by Prime Minister. They expressed satisfaction at the high momentum of bilateral engagement during the past few weeks, including the visit of Vice-President of India Shri Hamid Ansari to China and the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India as President Jinping’s Special Envoy, in June.

Chinese News Agency reports:

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday vowed to build strong ties with India, calling for negotiated solutions to the border issues between the two neighbors at an early date.

Xi made the remarks at a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

During their talks, Xi invited Modi to visit China at an early date. He said the two countries should converge development strategies, build closer development partnership and expand friendly exchanges in the fields of culture, education, religious affairs and youth.

Xi urged the two countries to launch a batch of exemplary projects in industrial investment and infrastructure building like railway construction, and expand cooperation in such fields as service trade, investment and tourism, so as to gradually realize a generally-balanced and sustainable bilateral trade.

The two countries, said Xi, should work together to advance the construction of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor, so as to take the lead in regional economic integration.

Stressing stronger cooperation in multilateral affairs, Xi said the two countries should join hands in setting global rules, so as to raise the voice of developing countries.

China welcomes India to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as a founding member, the Chinese president said.

Xi suggested the two sides manage, control and handle differences with a positive and forward-looking attitude, and find fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solutions to their border issues at an early date through friendly negotiations.

The two countries should jointly safeguard peace and tranquility of the border area before reaching a final settlement, added Xi.

For his part, Modi noted that the new Indian government is more committed to economic development, adding India hopes to learn from China’s success and expand bilateral cooperation in various areas.

India welcomes Chinese companies to invest in its infrastructure, such as railway, and to build industrial zones, Modi said.

He stressed that India is willing to peacefully settle the border issues through the existing mechanisms and friendly negotiations.

The Indian prime minister urged the two countries to enhance coordination in international and regional affairs, so as to jointly promote peace, development, prosperity of Asia and the world as a whole.