India, China to explore reasonable Border Solution: Modi

Beijing, May 15 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that he had candid, constructive and friendly talks with the Chinese leadership and both sides agreed to explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution to the vexed boundary question which has vitiated bilateral relations over decades.

Addressing media after talks with Prime Minister Li Keqiang here, Modi said bilateral cooperation was a very important part of his talks with Li and with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“We covered all issues, including those that trouble smooth development of our relations,” he said.

Modi said he had “stressed the need for China to reconsider its approach on some of the issues that hold us back from realizing the full potential of our partnership”.

He said: “I suggested that China should take a strategic and long-term view of our relations” and added that he found the Chinese leadership “responsive”.

On the boundary issue, he said both “agreed that we continue to explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution” and that both sides reiterated their “strong commitment to make all efforts to maintain peace and tranquility in the border region”.

“I found sensitivity to our concerns on this issue; and, interest in further intensifying confidence building measures. I also reiterated the importance of clarification of Line of Actual Control in this regard,” said Modi.

He said he sought “tangible progress” on issues relating to visa policy and trans-border rivers and that he discussed “some of our regional concerns”.

“We agreed that as we move ahead, we should be sensitive to each other’s interests; strengthen mutual trust and confidence; continue to manage our differences with maturity; and seek solutions to outstanding issues,” the prime minister said.”

“We have set a high level of ambition for our economic partnership,” he said.

He said both sides were “pleased with the progress” on the commitments from the Summit last September when President Xi Jinping visited India.

In the field of railways, both have identified specific projects, and two Chinese industrial parks in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

He said both Xi and Li were “very supportive” about increased Chinese participation in the Make in India initiative and in infrastructure sector.

Modi said both “President Xi and Premier Li were very receptive to the specific concerns I had raised on our growing trade deficit. We look forward to early impact on the ground”.

He said their decision to open consulates in Chengdu and Chennai reflects the growing mutual confidence and shared commitment to expand their bilateral ties.

Referring to the State and Provincial Leaders’ Forum that was inaugurated here, Modi said it was the first such interaction India has held with any country.

“This is consistent with my firm commitment to cooperative federalism in India….”

He said India is establishing a Centre for Gandhian and Indian Studies in Shanghai, a Yoga College in Kunming and a bilateral Think-Tanks Forum.

He thanked the Chinese leadership for opening the Nathu La route for Indian pilgrims to visit Kailash Mansarovar which will become operational in June.

He said the decision to open consulates in Chengdu and Chennai reflected the growing mutual confidence between the two countries and their shared commitment to expanding bilateral ties.

“We have a shared interest in the outcome of the international climate change negotiations. We are both trying to strengthen regional connectivity.”

He said the 24 agreements inked between them during his visit “shows the depth and maturity of our relationship and the positive direction of our partnership”.

“This has been a very productive and positive visit. I look forward to working with President Xi and Premier Li,” he said.

Modi said he welcomed Xi’s proposal to hold regular summits and that he has invited Li to visit India at an early date.