China Addressing India's Needs as Sino-Indian Ties Show Positive Trend

 New Delhi: In a significant development highlighting the rapidly-improving Sino-Indian ties, Indian government sources on Tuesday said Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi had “assured” external affairs minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar during their bilateral talks on Monday evening that “China is addressing India’s needs of rare earths, fertilisers and tunnel boring machines”.

Jaishankar had stated in his opening remarks that he “would like to follow up on some particular concerns” that he had brought up during his visit to China last month with his Chinese counterpart.

In an obvious reference to steep American tariffs on India and other nations, China on Tuesday said that Wang had told the EAM that “in today's world, unilateral bullying practices are rampant, and free trade and the international order face severe challenges”. It may be noted that after years of bilateral military tensions, the two Asian giants have been growing closer in the face of the belligerent trade policy of the Trump Administration in Washington.

Wang also said during the talks that “China and India should remain confident, move in the same direction, avoid disruptions, expand cooperation, and consolidate the improvement momentum of bilateral relations.”

In a readout on Tuesday, Beijing said that during his talks with Jaishankar on Monday, Wang had also stated that “China-India relations were showing a positive trend towards returning to the main course” and that “both sides should earnestly draw lessons from the past 75 years, form a correct strategic

Wang also stated that “as the two largest developing countries with a combined population of more than 2.8 billion, China and India should demonstrate a sense of global responsibility, act as major countries, set an example for developing countries in pursuit of strength through unity, and contribute to advancing a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations”. He added that the “successful meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kazan has provided guidance for the resumption and a new start for China-India relations”.

The Chinese foreign ministry said “both sides have been earnestly implementing the common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, gradually resuming exchanges and dialogues at various levels, maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas.” He “emphasised that China is ready to uphold the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and the vision of a shared future, and work with neighboring countries, including India.”