【New Delhi】China has said it will support India's bid for permanent membership of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, provided the sides resolve their border dispute in an amicable manner.
"We will support India's seat in the UN Security Council. But neighbours might encounter problems. There has to be a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the border issues. I am confident China and India have the wisdom to embark on good neighbourly relations," Chinese President Xi Jinping said, while addressing an event organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs here on the 18th of September.
Beijing also sought to allay New Delhi’s concerns over its rise and growing influence in the region. Chinese President Xi Jinping nudged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to change India’s policy of opposing China’s bid to enter the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) as a full member. Xi offered China’s support to India’s bid to become a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) – a six-nation bloc floated mainly by Moscow and Beijing as a counterweight to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) ostensibly to restrict the US role in Central Asia.
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi might be disappointed that the proposed visa liberalisation agreement was off the agenda. Beijing's intransigence of not following a 'one-India' policy by continuing with stapled visas for Arunachal Pradesh residents was the reason why India had put off signing the agreement.
However, Beijing on the 18th of September accepted a long-pending proposal from New Delhi to allow an alternative route for pilgrims from India to travel to Kailash Manasarovar in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
○Modi raises issue of Chinese incursions; Xi hopes strategic partnership on a higher plane
【New Delhi】Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 18th September raised the issue of Chinese incursions in Ladakh with the visiting leader, Chinese President Xi Jinping hoped to take the strategic and cooperative partnership with India for peace and prosperity to a “higher plane.”
Modi and Xi held talks in a restricted format and then at delegation level during which the two leaders also focused on cooperation in key areas of trade and investment.
Modi, who hosted a private dinner for Xi in Ahmedabad after his arrival yesterday, raised the issue of Chinese incursions last night as well as today, official sources said.
India raised concerns over the recent week-long standoff at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh “and repeated incidents” along the border. A Defence Ministry source said soldiers had formed a “human wall” to deal with the ongoing face-off.
In Beijing, China has called for a negotiated resolution of the border issue with India, shifting the focus on the root cause of problem, following the latest incidents in Chumar and Demchok, along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the situation had been “effectively controlled” and “managed.” “China hopes to continue to work with the Indian side to safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border area and solve the border issue through consultation and dialogue.”
Meanwhile, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, at a banquet hosted in honour of the visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping at Rashtrapati Bhavan, also said, "India and China share a desire for early resolution of all outstanding issues, including the boundary question. It is important for us to improve the dialogue and co-operative engagement between our two militaries and constantly strive to enhance the communication between them at all levels."
○Dalai Lama bats for strong Indo-China relations
【New Delhi】If the spiritual leader of Tibetans, the Dalai Lama, thought he would get some traction on account of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, which has traditionally been tilted in favour of more rights to Tibetans, he was mistaken.
Reacting to the detention of Tibetans by the police following their protest against President Xi Jinping's visit, the Dalai Lama said, "Tibetans are law-abiding citizens. But the rest is up to the government of India."
The winner of a Nobel Peace Prize and revered by Tibetans all over the world, he conceded that Xi was "open-minded" and "realistic". But he added, Sino-Indian relations (built) on the basis of mutual trust are very important.
【News source】
Will support India's UNSC bid, says China
Beijing sets eyes on Saarc membership
China President Xi's India visit: Beijing to make $100-billion investment commitment, but proposed visa pact put off
China opens safe route for Indian pilgrims
PM raises issue of Chinese incursions with Xi Jinping
Chinese President hopes to take strategic ties with India to a 'higher plane'
PM Narendra Modi raises issue of incursions with visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping
Modi talks tough on Ladakh incursions
India, China committed to peace at borders, says Pranab
Post-Ladakh, China to focus on resolving border row
Xi Jinping India visit: Part roses, part thorns
Modi, Xi to ease tension with clarification of LAC
Dalai Lama bats for strong Indo-China relations
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