China’s ties with others must not hurt India,PM tells Xi Jinping

China and Pakistan recently signed an agreement to build the Chashma-3 nuclear reactor despite serious objections from the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Many other countries such as Sri Lanka,Nepal and Maldives have also been repeatedly playing the China card to threaten India.

Xi did not respond to Singh’s comment but is believed to have emphasised on deepening “security and military trust” between India and China by conducting more joint exercises and training,while also looking to enhance maritime cooperation.

The Chinese President,sources said,felt India and China had a strategic opportunity now to upgrade their military cooperation,a subject Beijing has been pushing at the official level too.

Xi also proposed that the two countries jointly build high-speed railways in India given the giant strides China has made in this area. He felt that such efforts could pave the way for greater cooperation in mega projects in the future. Railways is one area which was identified in the India-China economic dialogue as a potential area of cooperation since it is state-owned in India as well.

The only concern that the Chinese side raised was the Tibet issue,where Xi hoped India would maintain its responsible position. Later,sources said,the PM reaffirmed India’s stand,conveying that the Tibet Autonomous Region was a part of China and also reminded Xi of the measures India took to ensure the Beijing Olympic Games torch travelled peacefully through India.

It’s learnt that both leaders touched upon the border row but reposed faith in the Special Representative (SR) Mechanism as the best way forward with Xi hoping for a fair,reasonable and acceptable outcome. They also took note of the fact that both sides have maintained peace and tranquility on the border.

While the Chinese side has not yet named the SR on its side after Dai Bingguo relinquished office,the responsibility is expected to fall on new State Councillor and former foreign minister Yang Jiechi,who was also part of Xi’s delegation at the talks.

Singh,sources said,managed to flag most of India’s core concerns and specifically spoke about trans-border rivers,where Xi did make the point that China shares hydrological data with its neighbours and promised to study the PM’s proposal for a joint mechanism.

The overall tenor of the conversation,sources said,was constructive with Xi describing the two countries as ancient civilizations with a prosperous future. Singh felt both countries were moving through a transformation,which provides opportunities for cooperation and it’s for the two governments to make the best of it.