NEW DELHI, Sep 15:
As it gears up to host Chinese President Xi Jinping, India today said it expects that the visit will address the “interests and concerns” of the two countries and that “all substantive” issues having bearing on the ties including the boundary dispute will be discussed.
The Indian remarks came even as local authorities in Leh said that Chinese civilians in Government vehicles have entered Indian territory in Demchok in Ladakh and are preventing locals from working on an irrigation project there.
However, when asked about these incursions, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin parried a direct answer and merely said that the brave sentinels of India were capable of handling any situation.
“As regards to issues on the table, sure there are unresolved issues including the boundary question…. Yes, it will be discussed,” he said.
Asked about the expectations from the high-profile visit, he said, “The key expectation is that we address issues of interests and concerns to each other. The path towards solution is based on a beginning of addressing those issues.”
About the agenda of the meeting between Modi and Xi, he said, “All substantive issues of interest to India and China will be discussed.”
Asked whether Kashmir, Tibet and stapled visa will figure in the talks, the Spokesperson said the two countries know the “sensitivities” of each other and it was the intention of both the countries to try and work out issues accordingly.
On issuance of staple visa to people of Arunachal by China, he said India’s stand has been that no differentiation should be made to people from any part of India.
Apart from big announcements in economic sector including big Chinese investments in railways networks, industrial parks and smart city projects, Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to discuss cooperation in the nuclear energy, trade deficit and visa regime.
Modi and Xi will hold talks on two occasions — first when the Prime Minister will host a private dinner for the visiting dignitary after his arrival in Ahmedabad on September 17 and then in New Delhi on September 18 in restricted and delegation-level format.
Akbaruddin said it will be only the third occasion since Independence that an Indian Prime Minister will have elaborate talks with a Chinese President in India. The previous occasions were in 1996 and 2006.
Modi will welcome Xi, accompanied by a high-level delegation including two senior members of Polit Bureau and the Chinese Commerce Minister, at his hotel in Ahmedabad.
The leaders will witness signing of pacts in Ahmedabad before heading to famous Sabarmati Ashram and the dinner.
“On 17th, I look forward to welcoming President Xi Jinping in Ahmedabad. Am sure his visit will strengthen India -China ties,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
Xi is expected to announce investments to the tune of billions of dollars in India’s railway, manufacturing and infrastructure projects.
With growing Outbound Direct Investment (ODI) which last year crossed USD 90 billion, China’s investments in India, which so far remained a paltry USD 400 million, mostly in Gujarat, are now expected to surpass Japan’s.
“You are aware that India’s new leadership is in a intensive state of global engagement. And it is in this context that we are all set to welcome President Xi Jinping of China on his land mark visit to India from 17 to 19 of this month,” the Spokesperson said.
Xi’s visit will be third by any Chinese president to India. President Hu Jintao had visited India in 2006 and President Jiang Zemin had come here in 1996.
Asked whether Modi and Xi will discuss cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, Akbaruddin said both the countries are committed to peaceful use of nuclear energy and it was normal if they talk about possible cooperation in the area.
“Both India and China are members of IAEA’s board of governors and this gives them a status of understanding the importance of nuclear energy on how to use it,” he said.
He said Xi is arriving at Ahmedabad as the Prime Minister was extremely keen that India be showcased beyond Delhi.
“He has made this amply clear that when the visitors come to India, they also see the beauty and magnificence of our country beyond Delhi,” the Spokesperson said.
Modi will host a private dinner for Xi in Ahmedabad and the Chinese President will travel to Delhi after attending it. He will be accorded a ceremonial welcome on September 18.
He will meet President Pranab Mukherjee who will also host a banquet for the Chinese leader.
Vice President Hamid Ansari, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Congress President Sonia Gandhi will call on Xi.
China is positively considering investing in India’s ambitious plan to build high-speed railways, including bullet trains.
Chinese officials say that China would be committing anywhere between USD 100 billion to USD 300 billion in the modernization of Indian railways by replacing existing tracks to increase the speed, station development, establishing industrial parks as well as invest in mega infrastructure projects.
The improvement of tracks could push the average train speeds from 160 km/hr to 180 km/hr, Indian officials say.
China is also asking India to hand over certain railway corridors for it to build, develop and maintain high speed railway lines. (AGENCIES)
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