Ahead of Premier Li Keqiang’s maiden visit to New Delhi, China has stressed on “an urgent need to redouble efforts” to push forward an early solution of the decades-long boundary problem.
A senior Chinese official sought to set a positive tone for the forthcoming visit of Premier Li by exhorting the Indian media in New Delhi to take a long-range view of India-China relations and show care in writing about sensitive and complex issues like the boundary question.
In an outreach diplomacy, Qin Gang, Spokesperson and Director-General of Information Department in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson of India’s foreign office, and Riva Ganguly Das, joint secretary, in charge of public diplomacy, in India’s foreign office. The interactions were aimed at enhancing mutual understanding, said Chinese officials.
Nearly a month after the incursion of Chinese troops into eastern Ladakh, which ended only a week ago after intense diplomacy, the Chinese official sought to play it down, saying the incursion was an “isolated” incident and chose to stress on how the issue was resolved by the “well-tested effectiveness” of the mechanisms of communication between the two countries over boundary issues. “We need to redouble our efforts to push forward framework negotiations so that we can reach at a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution at an early date,” said Qin in New Delhi May 13. He cautioned against concentrating on the boundary issue to the exclusion of other facets of the burgeoning India-China relationship. “While looking at important issue of boundary, we have to bear in mind the whole picture of our developing relations. And bear in mind the interest and benefits of good and cooperative China-India relations.”
Chinese officials stressed that the resolution of the boundary dispute will depend “on the political will of the two countries.” India and China have held 15 rounds of talks between their special representatives to resolve their boundary dispute, but have made limited progress. The negotiations are currently in Stage II which seeks to firm up a framework, which will form the basis for the final demarcation of the frontier.
The recent incursion incident, which spawned a spate of negative commentaries about China’s intentions in India, has pushed the boundary issue to the top of the agenda during the talks between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Li in New Delhi May 20.
Chinese official sources said the two sides were looking for constructive outcomes which will map out the trajectory of India-China relations over the next decade. Premier Li will deliver an address to scholars and diplomats in New Delhi, which will unveil Beijing’s vision of India-China relations in the 21st century and new strategic opportunities of cooperation opened up by the simultaneous rise of India and China.
China has also pushed for elevating bilateral economic ties to new heights and has offered to address the festering problem of trade imbalance. Chinese officials said that the two countries will be launching a CEOs forum during Premier Li’s visit to explore new trade and investment opportunities unleashed by the continuing growth of the two economics in times of the global slowdown.
Chinese officials also underscored the symbolism of Li choosing New Delhi as the first leg of his overseas visit after becoming premier of the world’s second largest economy in March this year. It shows the importance China attaches to its relations with India, they said.
Announcing the visit of Premier Li to India May 19, the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing said that both countries had taken the decision to “deepen political mutual trust” and expand trade, people-to-people exchanges. They will also enhance coordination in international affairs “such as the United Nations and jointly promoting the interests of developing countries,” spokesperson Hong Lei told reporters in Beijing.
“We believe this visit by Premier Li to India will further push forward the strategic partnership of cooperation for common development and prosperity,” he added.
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