India committed to improving ties with China, Modi tells Xi

3 comments

1. Submission Statement:
   Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said New Delhi was committed to improving ties with China in a key meeting with President Xi Jinping on Sunday, as both leaders discussed the need to expand trade and investment ties against the backdrop of U.S. tariffs.

   Modi said India and China pursued strategic autonomy, and their ties should not be seen through the lens of a third country, according to an Indian foreign ministry readout of the meeting.

   Modi emphasised reducing India’s trade deficit with China and expanding cooperation on regional and global issues, including terrorism and fair trade practices, the ministry added.

   SIGNIFICANCE:

   The meeting comes days after Washington imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods in response to New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil, a move analysts say has pushed Modi and Xi to align against Western pressures.

2. What are the big areas of contention between India and China anyway? The only one I know off offhand are those guys on the mountainous border who go at each other with clubs. 

3. Border disputes are always first. But if it improves trade amd travel relations, that will be a shot in the arm.

   Longer term, it may allow some easing of even the border disputes especially if China is focused largely on the Taiwan issue allowing them to acknowledge Sikkim, Arunachal, Demchok and Pulam Sumda officially with India, allowing some middle area (no-man’s land) in Aksai Chin and Pangong Tso.

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