Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his strong focus on foreign policy in his first weeks in office, meeting with Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (王毅) for talks aimed at reviving trade and building an economic partnership.
India and China have dismissed the idea that past tensions, particularly over a border dispute, should hold the Asian giants back from cooperating economically.
The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday said the two sides shared “an understanding that respect for the sensitivities and aspirations of each other was an essential for expansion of bilateral relations.”
India’s ties with China have long been lukewarm amid worries about Beijing’s growing power, as well as the decades-old dispute over their shared 6,400km Himalayan border that triggered a brief war in 1962.
During his election campaign, Modi said India did not want a war with China, but would be prepared to deal with what he called Beijing’s possible expansionist designs.
However, after leading his party to a landslide victory on economic promises, Modi surprised many in India by immediately reaching out to neighboring countries, including traditional archrival Pakistan.
The first foreign telephone call he took was from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (李克強), signaling that China and India could be ready for more robust relations.
This week’s visit by is the second high-level conversation between New Delhi and Beijing in two weeks, which shows “the keenness with which both our leaderships are engaging with each other,” the Indian ministry said in a statement.
In his meeting with Wang, Modi “emphasized the potential for greater cooperation between India and China for a strong and prosperous Asia, working for mutually beneficial trade and investment as economic partners,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement.
Modi is no stranger to China, having visited the country four times during his 12 years as chief minister of the west Indian state of Gujarat.
Given China’s dominance in the global economy, Modi’s government is likely be looking for Beijing’s help in reviving India’s stalled economy, analysts said.
Trade between China and India has also stalled, falling to US$65 billion last year, with China enjoying a US$48 billion surplus.
China has said it was willing to help India through economic reforms — echoing promises by US President Barack Obama and former US president George W. Bush.
China’s overture shows the country is feeling confident that it “has the wherewithal to help another large country to become economically strong,” said T.C.A. Rangachari, a former Indian ambassador who dealt with India-China relations for decades.
“This is primarily an economic gesture, but it is not devoid of political significance,” Rangachari said. “Both sides are seeing an advantage in working together.”
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