China will import more high-quality products from India and boost cooperation in such fields as investment, production capacity, tourism, telecommunication and connectivity.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and State Councilor and Foreign MInister Wang Yi met on the sidelines of a Southeast Asian conclave and had a “comprehensive discussion” on bilateral relations during which the Chinese leader said Beijing is paying “great attention” to the trade imbalance between the two countries and is willing to work with New Delhi to make the cake of cooperation bigger.
India’s trade deficit decreased $10 billion to $53.6 billion last year, but New Delhi wants deeper cuts this year. As neighbours and two major emerging economies, China and India are finding new opportunities in developing bilateral relations, Wang said.
Jaishankar, who is to travel to China later this month, in a Twitter post said: “Had a comprehensive discussion with FM Wang Yi. Looking forward to continuing it in Beijing.” Jaishankar will be in Beijing to pave the way for a visit to India by Chinese president Xi Jinping in October.
Xi’s visit is aimed at carrying forward a conversation Prime Minister Narendra Modi had begun last year in Wuhan. Jaishankar said India-China relations are now at a crucial stage and Prime Minister Modi hopes to further promote relations in his new term, adding that India is optimistic about the prospects of economic cooperation and stands ready to expand common interests and deepen pragmatic cooperation with China, according to Xinhua.
On the 5G issue, he said India will make independent decisions in line with its national interests. India is also willing to actively participate in the building of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, he added.
Wang said China stands ready to join hands with India to prepare for future high-level exchanges, well promote the people-to-people and cultural exchange mechanism, and work for the successful holding of meetings between the two countries’ special representatives on the boundary issue as well as strategic economic dialogue.
He also noted that China is willing to deepen communication and coordination with India in regional and international affairs, push for regional cooperation focusing on development and cooperation and featuring inclusiveness and openness so as to promote prosperity and stability of Asia.
