China’s Xi and India’s Modi discuss proposals to improve ties hit by Kashmir

0
894
Xi and Modi held several hours of one-on-one talks in a southern seaside Indian town
Xi and Modi held several hours of one-on-one talks in a southern seaside Indian town. (Photo: Twitter/@narendramodi)

12 Oct 2019 CNA Channel News Asia

MAMALLAPURAM, India: Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Saturday (Oct 12) he had a free and frank discussion with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and would pursue proposals the two leaders discussed to improve bilateral ties.

Xi and Modi held several hours of one-on-one talks in a southern seaside Indian town in their second annual summit designed to break through decades of distrust between their countries over border disputes, a ballooning trade deficit and China’s close military ties with India’s arch rival, Pakistan. Advertisement Advertisement

“Yesterday and today we have engaged in candid discussions and as friends,” Xi said in opening remarks as the two leaders sat down for formal talks with their delegations.

“I look forward to further discussions, I may follow up on proposals discussed yesterday,” he said, without elaborating.

READ: India PM Modi picks up rubbish from seaside town while hosting China’s Xi Jinping

Ties were ruffled when India revoked the special status of the Himalayan territory of Kashmir in August, angering both Pakistan, which claims the region, and its all-weather ally China.

Modi noted in his opening remarks that he and Xi had agreed to manage their differences prudently and not let them snowball into disputes.

The neighbors are expected to move forward on a set of confidence-building measures along their border including border trade, tourism and even joint military patrols to boost trust, officials said.

India and China share a 3,500km border, over which they went to war in 1962. Its course remains unresolved despite more than 20 rounds of talks.

Modi took Xi on a personal tour of temple monuments dating back to the seventh and eighth century at Mamallapuram in southern India when regional leaders had trade ties with Chinese provinces.

Xi Jinping and Modi
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China’s President Xi Jinping shake hands during their visit at the Pancha Rathas complex. (Photo: Handout/PIB/AFP) 

India’s Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said the two leaders spent nearly five hours discussing bilateral issues that have often been fraught.

The two leaders discussed economic issues, including India’s US$53 billion trade deficit with China in 2018/19, and ways to tackle it, Gokhale said.

China, for its part, was expected to urge India to take an independent decision on telecom equipment maker Huawei’s bid for India’s proposed 3G network and not be swayed by US pressure. 

The United States has asked its allies not to use Huawei equipment, which it says China could exploit for spying.

Sources told Reuters in August that China had warned of “reverse sanctions” on Indian firms engaged in business in China should India block Huawei Technologies because of US pressure.

Xi will head to Nepal later on Saturday where he is expected to push for China’s further involvement in developing its infrastructure as part of his signature One Belt On Road initiative to boost trade and transport links across Asia.


Source: Reuters


Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/china-xi-jinping-narendra-modi-india-proposals-on-bilateral-ties-11994604

Previous articleWhither the BNP? Let’s Still Identify with It
Next articleGwadar port officially opens for commercial shipping
CNA was established in March 1999 by Mediacorp, and is an English language Asian news network. Positioned to “Understand Asia”, it reports on global developments with Asian perspectives. Based in Singapore, it has correspondents in major Asian cities and key Western ones, including New York, Washington D.C., London and Brussels. CNA brings its audience not only the latest news but also diverse content such as business, lifestyle, human stories, current affairs and documentary programming. CNA is a transmedia company, where users can get content online, on TV and radio and via smart devices. It is also available on social and messaging services, such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Linkedin, Whatsapp and Telegram. CNA TV is now viewed in 29 territories across Asia with its satellite footprint stretching across Asia, the Middle East and Australia. For more information, please visit CNA’s website at cna.asia. Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/about. Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/about