Hyderabad: At a time when the spectacular show of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 'Howdy, Modi!' event in the US is still afresh in the mind, the world is set to witness another high voltage diplomatic encounter of two tall Asian leaders on Friday and Saturday.
PM Modi and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will hold an 'informal summit' at Chennai's Mamallapuram, which the world is closely watching. At this point of time when, the two powerful nations of Asia are sharing thorny relations, this informal summit between both the leaders is expected to yield results.
With the diplomatic ties between India and China will turn 70 years in 2020, the informal summit holds utmost importance for the two nations. The meeting is expected to witness discussions on major disputes that have forced the two nations to lock horns with each other for decades.
Belt and Road Initiative
Unveiled by China in 2017, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is huge infrastructure project which aims to connect three continents-Asia, Europe and Africa to ease trade.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which passes through Pakistan occupied Kashmir, is a key part in BRI.
In May 2017, New Delhi vehemently opposed the BRI, citing “No country can accept a project that ignores its core concerns on sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Nuclear Sharing Group
India's entry into the 48-member Nuclear Sharing Group has been long-opposed by China citing that India is not a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Even though the other P5 members, including the US and Russia, backed its India's inclusion into the group, but Beijing is adamant. USA and Russia had issued separate public statements strengthening India's case at the NSG ahead of the Vienna meet.
With this informal summit coming up, New Delhi believes Beijing may change its stand on India's inclusion into the group.
Kashmir Dispute
After joining hands with Pakistan to target India at the 74th United Nations General Assembly over Kashmir, Beijing has moderated has stand over the issue. Beijing has said India and Pakistan should hold bilateral talk to find out a permanent solution to the never ending dispute.
Border Dispute
Ahead of Xi's India visit, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said both the emerging Asian powers should not let the boundary dispute adversely impact the normal development of bilateral relations.
China pitched for jointly maintaining peace and tranquility along their border before a final settlement on the issue is found, noting that it is normal for neighbours to have differences.
Read also: Here is the itinerary of PM Modi, Xi's informal summit
