Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India is committed to advancing the bilateral ties with China based on mutual trust, respect and sensitivity. In his opening remarks at a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Tianjin, PM Modi said “we are committed to further strengthening our relations on the basis of mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity.”
In China on his first visit in seven years PM Modi also referred to last year’s disengagement of troops along the boundary with China saying, “Since then, an atmosphere of peace and stability has been maintained.”
He also mentioned how the Special Representatives of both sides have “agreed on border management” and flagged it as a positive development.
“Last year, we had a very meaningful discussion in Kazan, which gave a positive direction to our relations.
“An atmosphere of peace and stability has been established after disengagement at the border. Our Special Representatives have reached an understanding on border management,” he said.
The Prime Minister said direct flights between India and China are being restored and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been resumed,
“The cooperation between us is linked to the interests of 2.8 billion people of our two nations. This will also pave the way for the welfare of all humanity. We are committed to further strengthening our relations on the basis of mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity,”he said
PM Modi is in China primarily to attend the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on August 31 and September 1.
Coming amid the sudden downturn in India-US ties following the enhanced tariffs, the visit is being closely watched across the world.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi were present at the meeting. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is not in China for the SCO Leaders’ Summit due to health reasons.
