From V Mohan Narayan and K J M Varma

Beijing

After voicing concern over China’s investments in PoK, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked it to “reconsider” its approach on some of the issues and take a strategic and long term view to push the relationship which has been “complex” in recent decades.

Modi, who held wide-ranging talks with his counterpart Li Keqiang, sought tangible progress on issues relating to visa, an apparent reference to stapled visas issued by China to residents of Arunachal Pradesh, as he underlined that the two countries need to be “sensitive to each other’s interests”.

He stressed the need for strengthening mutual trust and confidence while seeking solutions to outstanding issues.

The two sides signed a record 24 agreements covering railways, mining, outer space, earthquake science and engineering, tourism, sister-cities and establishment of consulates in Chengdu and Chennai.

“Our conversations were candid, constructive and friendly. We covered all issues, including those that trouble smooth development of our relations,” Modi said at a joint press interaction here along with Li after the talks held at the Great Hall of People.

“I stressed the need for China to reconsider its approach on some of the issues that hold us back from realising full potential of our partnership. I suggested that China should take a strategic and long term view of our relations,” Modi said.

The statement comes a day after Modi raised concern with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their talks in Xi’an over China’s USD 46 billion proposed investment in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

“I found the Chinese leadership responsive,” he said, adding that the re-emergence of India and China and their relationship will have a profound impact on the two countries and the course of this century.

Noting that India-China relationship has been “complex in recent decades”, Modi said the two countries have a “historic responsibility to turn this relationship into a source of strength for each other and a force of good for the world.”

On the boundary question, Modi said the two sides agreed to continue to explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution.

“We both reiterated our strong commitment to make all efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border region,” he said. .

The Prime Minister said during his talks with Li he also reiterated the importance of clarification of Line of Actual Control.

China claims the border dispute is confined only to 2,000 kms mostly in Arunachal Pradesh whereas India asserts that the dispute covered the western side of the border spanning to about 4,000 kms, especially the Aksai Chin area ceded to China by Pakistan.

“We are committed to set a new direction between the two largest Asian countries. I believe that my discussions with President Xi and Premier Li have advanced our relationship in that direction,” Modi said.

Modi said President Xi and Premier Li were very receptive to the specific concerns he had raised on the growing trade deficit which is in favour of China to the tune of USD 38 billion.

“We have set a high-level of ambition for our economic partnership. We see enormous bilateral opportunities and many similar challenges, like urbanisation,” he said, adding he is looking forward to early impact on the ground.

On his part, Premier Li acknowledged that there were differences between the two sides on the border issue and said the two countries need to uphold peace and tranquillity.

“We do not deny that there are some disagreements between us but there is a mechanism and sufficient political maturity to address them,” he said.

“We stand ready to work with India to bring China-India relations to new heights,” he said, adding both the countries need to seize the opportunities to play a bigger role in Asia and beyond.

Li said China and India are two important countries for the establishment of a multi-polar world.

Underlining that Modi’s visit has brought about “many pragmatic results” ranging from space to maritime setup, Li said “China stands ready to enhance cooperation with India and also is ready to take steps to balance our trade.” MORE PTI VMN SAI ZH AKJ

“We had indepth and candid discussions on issues of mutual interest and reached important agreements,” Li said.

He said if a truly Asian century is to dawn, it depends on whether China and India will “overcome their difficulties” and deepen “political mutual trust”.

Prime Minister Modi said that an area of high priority for the two countries is people-to-people contacts.

“We have decided to take the relationship out of the narrow confines of governments in the national capitals to states, cities and our people,” he said.

“This is the Year of India in China; the next one will be the Year of China in India. This will expand tourism between our two countries,” he added.

Modi said that for the first time, India has launched a State and Provincial Leaders’ Forum with any country.

“We are establishing a Centre for Gandhian and Indian Studies in Shanghai, a Yoga College in Kunming and a bilateral Think-Tanks Forum,” he said.

Modi said the Nathu La route for Indian pilgrims to visit Kailash Mansarovar will become operational in June and thanked China for its cooperation in this regard.

“Our decision to open a consulates in Chengdu and Chennai reflects growing mutual confidence and shared commitment to expand our relationship. These steps will help make our relationship more broad-based and people-centric,” he added.

Modi also said the two sides have a shared interest in the outcome of the international climate change negotiations.

“Terrorism is a shared threat. Instability in West Asia matters to both of us. Peace and progress in Afghanistan benefits us both,” the Prime Minister said.

Noting that the two countries signed over 20 agreements covering diverse areas of cooperation, Modi said it shows the depth and maturity of “our relationship and the positive direction of our partnership.”

“This has been a very productive and positive visit,” he added.

PTI