Xi's India visit, an opportunity for China to iron out differences

Political analyst Anil Trigunayat says that there is no set agenda for the talk between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping but it is certainly an opportunity for both the countries to mend their relationship in terms of trade, international and bilateral issues. The Chinese President is in India for the second informal summit with Indian Prime Minister.

New Delhi:Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in India for the second informal summit meeting of India-China with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday. However, there is no set agenda for the talk, an outline of the subjects under the themes of international and bilateral issues is expected to be discussed.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Anil Trigunayat, foreign policy expert, said, "We are having a few issues with China in the recent times, which has been both on strategic matters as well as on the bilateral relations, like their relationship with Pakistan, their statements on Kashmir. So this visit is taking place in the background of that."

Over the issue of trade deficit between the two countries, Sharan said that there is tremendous trade deficit worth more than 60 billion dollars, between the two countries, for which India has to bridge that deficit for more smoother and balanced trade partnership.

As China is not very much happy about India's closeness with the Quad, it is believed that China would expect a clear take of India over the matter.

"They would also like to know about the strategic position of India with regards to Quad, for which the foreign ministers of India, Japan, Australia and US met for the first time. So, it is a very new paradigm which Americans think as a sort of containment of China. Though it is not India's position, but they would like to know how exactly we are going to proceed," he added.

China is particularly keen to sign the Regional Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (RCEP) with India, that will bring together the ASEAN countries with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. India is still not clear about joining RCEP as it is too risky for a host of industries in India, particularly for Dairy farmers.

Anil Sharan said, "China is our largest trading partner. They are also looking to invest a great deal in India. They are looking to supply us their 5G technology. We also need to diversify our food basket. Now it is for China to address our core concerns."

President Xi's visit comes after the two sides exchanged sharp words over Kashmir issue following Xi's meeting with Pakistan PM Imran Khan.

"Relationship is a two-way street. We do not interfere in what they are doing in Hong Kong but they are interfering in what we are doing in our own part of Kashmir, that too democratically and constitutionally. That is something which needs to be conveyed to China," said Trigunayat.

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