Proper management of bilateral relation important for ‘Asian Century’

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Both countries agree to implement a joint economic project in war-torn Afghanistan

Two-day (April 27-28) informal summit between India and China held in Wuhan, the capital city of Central China’s Hubei province. Prime Minister Shri Narendra and President of People’s Republic of China, Shri Xi Jinping exchanged their views on overarching issues of bilateral and global importance, and elaborated their respective visions and priorities for national development in the context of the current and future international situation. The summit witnessed groundbreaking outcome. Both leadership agreed for the first time to implement a joint economic project in war-torn Afghanistan. Indian and Chinese officials will identify the project and work out the modalities of cooperation. The strategic analysts see the move as a setback to Pakistan. China`s Global times remarked the informal summit as the most inspiring diplomatic endeavor made by the two countries to mend ties since last year’s Doklam standoff and would exert enormous influence on Asia and the world.

The conclusion of the informal summit is that both leaders believe that the simultaneous emergence of India and China as two large economies and major powers with strategic and decisional autonomy, has implications of regional and global significance. They shared the view that peaceful, stable and balanced relations between India and China will be a positive factor for stability amidst current global uncertainties. They also agreed that proper management of the bilateral relationship will be conducive for the development and prosperity of the region, and will create the conditions for the Asian Century. To this end, they decided to strengthen the Closer Development Partnership in a mutually beneficial and sustainable manner, in pursuit of national modernization and greater prosperity for their peoples.

Shri Narendra Modi said during the talk, China talks about a new era and I am working for a new India. World peace is important and both India and China have to work for the same and make all possible contributions. He also said in the delegation level talk “The five positive elements of this relationship are thought, communication, support, commitment and shared vision. These can be the basis for world peace and stability.”

Prime Minister Modi and President Xi reviewed developments in India-China relations from the strategic and long-term perspective. They agreed to significantly enhance efforts to build on the convergences through the established mechanisms in order to create the broadest possible platform for the future relationship. They also agreed that both sides have the maturity and wisdom to handle the differences through peaceful discussion within the context of the overall relationship, bearing in mind the importance of respecting each other’s sensitivities, concerns and aspirations.

The two leaders expressed their support for the work of the Special Representatives on the India China Boundary Question and urged them to intensify their efforts to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement. The two leaders underscored the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in all areas of the India-China border region in the larger interest of the overall development of bilateral relations. To this end, they issued strategic guidance to their respective militaries to strengthen communication in order to build trust and mutual understanding and enhance predictability and effectiveness in the management of border affairs.

The two leaders further directed their militaries to earnestly implement various confidence building measures agreed upon between the two sides, including the principle of mutual and equal security, and strengthen existing institutional arrangements and information sharing mechanisms to prevent incidents in border regions.

Prime Minister Modi and President Xi underlined that as two major countries India and China have wider and overlapping regional and global interests. They agreed on their need to strengthen strategic communication through greater consultation on all matters of common interest. They believe that such strategic communication will have a positive influence on enhancing mutual understanding and will contribute to regional and global stability.