China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who begins an official visit to New Delhi on Sunday, has expressed optimism that India and China, under the new leadership of Mr Narendra Modi, could find a solution to the vexed boundary question, by showing “strong will and resolve”. Mr Wang stressed that both sides had “more strategic consensus than differences”.
In an exclusive interview with The Hindu, Mr. Wang, who will on Sunday establish the first high level contact from Beijing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, called on both sides to ensure that differences over the border dispute do not “affect the normal development of our relations”.
Mr. Wang, in written responses to questions submitted by The Hindu, also revealed that President Xi Jinping had personally instructed him to visit India as his “special envoy” soon after Mr. Modi took office, underscoring the Chinese leadership’s intent to quickly establish contact with the new government in New Delhi. He also confirmed that Mr. Xi will visit India later this year - his first visit as President - although the Chinese leader will is likely to meet briefly with Mr. Modi in July on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Brazil.
The Chinese Foreign Minister praised Prime Minister Modi for showing the world “resolve and courage” by setting an agenda to push reforms and development and for injecting “vigour and vitality” immediately after taking charge.
His comments indicate that the Chinese leadership believes Mr. Modi’s government will embark on a “reform and development” process akin to what former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping unleashed three decades ago. The Chinese government, he said, wants to invest in special industrial zones in India as well as share its experiences of reforms from 30 years ago.
“My trip brings a most important message to the people of India — China stands by your side throughout your efforts of reform and development,” Mr. Wang said. “It is a trip to convey messages and to get to know more friends.”
He said while it was “unavoidable that between neighbours, there might be certain issues left from history or some differences in immediate interests”, both countries “have much more strategic consensus than differences”.
“No country can choose its neighbour, but friendship may be fostered,” he said. “Certain issues may not be avoided, but innovative answers could be found. One can not rewrite history, but the future is in our hands.”
Mr. Wang said China “highly appreciated” India's support following a string of recent terror attacks in its western Xinjiang region. Describing terror as a common challenge, he said Beijing “stands ready to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation” - an issue that has, in the past, figured lower on the agenda considering China's ties with Pakistan.
On trade relations, the Chinese Foreign Minister acknowledged both sides were yet to make the most of the untapped potential, which he likened to “the emerging tip of a massive buried treasure that awaits your discovery”.
Last year, bilateral trade declined by 1.5 per cent on account of a slump in Indian exports of ores, propelling the trade deficit to a record $ 31.4 billion. China has proposed boosting mutual investments to bridge the gap. Mr. Wang expressed optimism that both sides would soon finalise an agreement on setting up Chinese industrial parks in India.
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