Modi, Xi propose joint India-China project in Afghanistan
28 Apr 2018
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China and India have agreed to undertake a joint economic project in Afghanistan, the first such project by India and China in the war-ravaged country, as Chinese President and Indian Prime Minister tried to reduce the chasm between the two countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping today wrapped up their three-day informal meetings in the Chinese city of Wuhan, marking a significant move towards a rapprochement between the two neighbours after the tense Doklam stand-off.The two leaders also agreed on the need to create a broad platform of dialogue and discussion through which contentious matters can be addressed and resolved before they escalate. The two leaders agreed that both sides have the maturity and wisdom to handle differences through peaceful discussion.
Both China and India said they seek a fair settlement to their border disputes, and to this end, the Special Representatives appointed by the two nations will play a key role.
Thought no official agreements were struck, Chinese vice-foreign minister Kong Xuanyou described the just-concluded informal summit between the leaders of China and India as a milestone in relations.
While there is no agreement on troop reduction, the two leaders will issue strategic guidance to their respective militaries to strengthen communication in order to build trust and mutual understanding. The two sides will also work together in implementing confidence building measures.
The two emerging economic powers resolved to assume more significant roles in the global order as the superpowers, including the United States, become increasingly inward-looking. As such Modi and Xi decided to strengthen the closer development partnership in a balanced, mutually beneficial and sustainable manner.
The two leaders agreed to push forward bilateral trade and investment in a balanced and sustainable manner by taking advantage of complementarities between their two economies.
They reiterated the importance of building an open and pluralist global economic order in which all countries can freely participate to pursue their development, while also contributing to the elimination of poverty and inequality in all regions of the world.
Modi and Xi recognised the common threat posed by terrorism and committed to cooperate further on counter-terrorism. But there was no mention of the issue of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar.
The two leaders agreed that the informal summit offered an opportunity for direct, free and candid exchange of views and decided to hold more such dialogues in the future.
The "forward-looking dialogue" was a unique opportunity for direct and candid exchange of views between the two premiers and helped them forge a common understanding.
Both agreed that meetings on the lines of the Wuhan summit will determine the future direction of India-China relations. Before leaving, PM Modi reciprocated by inviting Xi to India for a similar informal summit next year.
