Ahead of trip, Narendra Modi says China has 'right' to seek regional influence

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has played down fears over China's growing regional clout ahead of his trip next week to Beijing, saying the rival Asian powerhouse has a "right" to seek greater influence.

In an interview with Time magazine published on Thursday, Modi said nations have a "natural tendency" to want to increase their influence, which was their right so as long as they respected human rights and international rules.

"You referred to the increase in Chinese influence in the region and in the world," he told the magazine in an interview to mark the completion of his first year in office.

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"I think it is a very natural tendency for the nations to increase their influence in the international space, as they pursue their international relations with different countries. I firmly believe that with due regard to international rules and regulations, and with full respect for human values... each country has the right to increase its presence, its impact and influence internationally for the benefit of the global community."

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The PM has in his first year signalled he will pursue a more muscular foreign policy than the Congress-led government that was routed in last year's election.

Since coming to power, the PM has sought to revive India's role as a champion of South Asia, mindful of how China has forged closer ties in recent years with neighbours such as Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Maldives.

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With Pakistan a long-time ally of Beijing, many observers have said that China is seeking to encircle India with "a string of pearls".

Mr Modi warned China to shed its "expansionist mindset" at an election rally last year. China hit back, saying it "never waged a war of aggression to occupy any inch of land of other countries".

But in the interview, the PM said the two countries have shown "great maturity" in recent decades and were committed to "economic cooperation".