India has made substantial progress in paving the way for resolving outstanding issues with China said Minister of State for External Affairs, Gen. V.K. Singh on Thursday. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to China, Mongolia and South Korea, the Minister said India’s foreign policy has graduated from ‘look east to act east’.
An indication of improving relations between the two countries, he said was the absence of incidents of border violations when Mr. Modi was in China. Gen. Singh also described the China visit as a great success, and asserted that New Delhi is hopeful that after the meeting between the leadership of the two nations, resolving issues will be a lot easier.
Speaking at a conclave organised by a news channel, he said India has been able to put forth the way forward; an atmosphere of trust and friendship has been created and good things have happened on the business front.
‘Whatever the Prime Minister went for has been achieved’, he said, adding, because of the friendly ties that have been forged through this visit, India and China can look forward to solving the ongoing border issues. He also expressed hope that China, guided by prudence, will stand by India’s concern over terrorism.
On the issue of a China continuing to show an incorrect map of India, with Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh not included, he said the issue has been raised diplomatically.
The Union Minister said, India has taken the lead to hand out an olive branch to countries in its immediate and extended neighbourhood, and is keen to participate in the development of Afghanistan.
On the Modi-government completing one year in office, he said, countries cannot be run on slogans, this government is trying to usher in a systemic change. ‘We are trying to follow the homeopathic treatment, where we can cure the root [of the disease] and not like allopath where the problem recurs’, he said.
He said India’s role in evacuating people of different nationalities from Yemen has earned it trust and respect internationally.
Asked whether India should consider renewing cricketing ties with Pakistan, he said, the matter now rests with the Sports Ministry and he will offer his view only when the issue comes under the purview of his ministry.
> In China, going beyond optics
In redefining India's geopolitical relationship, Modi would have to take a call on balance of power in Asia-Pacific
>Modi, Xi get down to tackling tough issues
Boundary row, trade balance dominate talks, writes Suhasini Haidar.
Takeaways from China
- 1 For enhanced border defence cooperation, a "hotline" to work between the Military Headquarters >Read more
- 2 ISRO and China space agency to sign Space Cooperation Outline for Deep Space Exploration >Read more
- 3 Sisterhood between Karnataka & Sichuan; Aurangabad & Dunhuang, Chennai & Chongqing, Hyderabad & Qingdao >Read more
- 4 Extend electronic tourist visas to Chinese nationals. India will celebrate the "Year of China" next year >Read more
- 5 Agreement on climate change later this year, will address mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology development and transfer >Read more
- 6 China will open a new Consulate General in Chennai, India will open one in Chengdu >Read more
- 7 Tackle growing trade deficit by expanding economic relations in Infrastructure, IT, Pharma, Agriculture and Manufacturing >Read more
>To China with a clear strategy
India cannot overlook excess of nationalism, belief in exceptionalism in today's China
>A long march to a new relationship
India-China relationship today is marked by low levels of mutual trust, writes Nirupama Rao.
Published - May 21, 2015 05:37 pm IST
