Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for China and India to view each other as partners rather than rivals, outlining four priorities for ensuring the steady and sustained development of bilateral relations.
President Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
The two leaders held what China described as a sincere and in-depth exchange of views and reached an important consensus that China and India should be partners.
President Xi said bilateral relations had improved over the past two years, citing the resumption of institutional exchanges, expanding cooperation and record bilateral trade. He urged both sides to value the progress made and build on it through greater cooperation.
President Xi identified four areas for advancing relations: maintaining an objective and rational strategic outlook; pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation; resolving differences through mutual respect and understanding; and strengthening multilateral coordination to address global challenges.
He also called for expanded cooperation in people-to-people exchanges and direct flights, while urging both countries to address economic and trade concerns in a balanced manner.
On the border issue, President Xi said China and India should work to advance bilateral relations while seeking a resolution to the boundary question and maintaining peace and stability in border areas.
Prime Minister Modi, for his part, said India also views its relationship with China from a strategic and long-term perspective. He said India seeks to be a partner rather than a rival of China and regards China’s development as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
Prime Minister Modi said India’s independent foreign policy means its relations with China are not determined by any third party. He also reaffirmed India’s existing positions on issues concerning Taiwan and Tibet.
Both leaders expressed support for greater cooperation within BRICS and other multilateral forums, with Modi saying India would support China’s BRICS chairship next year.
The two sides also agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border and strengthening cooperation between the two major Asian powers.
– with Agencies inputs --
