The Hindu : National : India-China differences do not hamper ties: Natwar

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Friday, Jan 28, 2005

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India-China differences do not hamper ties: Natwar

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 27. India and China are engaged in positive ways to expand the commonalities while addressing their differences, including the boundary question, the External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, said today.

"We are doing so in a purposive and mutually acceptable manner. Despite the differences on the boundary issue, our 3,400-km long land border with China has largely remained tranquil over the last 25 years. This is by no means a minor achievement and should be enough to silence those who look at India-China relations only from an adversarial prism. It is for everyone to see that we have not allowed our differences to hold development in our relations across an impressive range of areas," he said.

"There are many who look at India-China relations with the old mindset of `balance of power' or `conflict of interests' and see East Asia as a theatre of competition between these two countries. Such theories are losing relevance in today's fast-emerging dynamics of Asia's quest for peace and prosperity," Mr. Singh said.

Trust and cooperation

Both were aware that trust and cooperation between them were one of the most crucial elements that made the region and Asia a vibrant and energetic fulcrum for growth.

Addressing the Seventh Asian Security Conference, organised by the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses, Mr. Singh said there were differences between India and China.

However, there was also an increasingly greater realisation that there was enough space and opportunity in the region for both to prosper.

"We also look at our relations in a larger regional and global backdrop and realise the responsibility we both shoulder in contributing to the well being of humanity. We are mindful of the overarching importance of a peaceful surrounding environment for us to pursue our most fundamental task of national development. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to India later this year will offer another opportunity to us to add further substance to our relationship, a relationship which both value," he said. India's relationship with Japan was another important point of anchor in New Delhi's extensive interaction with east Asia. "As the second largest global economy, Japan has an important role to play in Asia emerging as a key player in this century." The two countries firmly believed that they were legitimate candidates for the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council. "We are looking forward to Prime Minister [Junichiro] Koizumi's visit to India later in 2005 which will help us further upgrade and deepen our relations with Japan."

The traditional friendship with South Korea, he said, was developing on the strong foundations of shared commitment to democratic ideals and the common desire to consolidate and diversify exchanges.

Ties with ASEAN

"India has also consciously moved forward to re-establish its age-old ties with ASEAN countries. This has been duly reciprocated. The ASEAN countries also recognise the mutual advantage of a wide-ranging partnership with India."

Today, as India strives to add greater substance and depth to her "Look East" policy, she espoused a vision of an Asian Economic Community, which encompasses ASEAN, South Korea, Japan, China and India — the five pillars which may form the initial core to drive Asia's emergence as the centre of gravity of the global economy.

"The idea of the Asian Economic Community is built on the fundamental realisation of the new dynamics in Asia and existing synergies. This is bringing us closer together in search of greater prosperity and is based on our common aspirations. These are visions to secure a stable and peaceful environment and pursue the development objectives that would impart strength to Asia's global standing," he said.

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