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India, China for closer economic ties
By Atul Aneja
The Chinese Prime Minister, Zhu Rongji, and his wife, Lao An, at Qutab Minar in New Delhi on Tuesday. - Photo: Anu Pushkarna
NEW DELHI, JAN. 15. Downplaying the differences on their disputed boundary, India and China have decided to build closer economic ties and have established a forum that will help them combat terrorism.
The accent of the visiting Chinese Prime Minister, Zhu Rongji, who arrived here on Sunday, has been on pragmatism. Government sources here pointed out that Mr. Zhu's visit seeks to expand common ground with India in the economic, scientific and political spheres. But both sides have not hesitated to address their differences. India, on its part, has also stressed that it does not see China as a threat and wants to expand cooperation with it.
``We have more common understanding than differences and our interests far outweigh any friction.'', Mr. Zhu has said. He has also emphasised that both countries have common ``long- term interests.''
On the political side, India and China agreed that they face a common enemy in terrorism. Keen to expand cooperation on countering terrorism, they have decided to hold a regular dialogue in this field. While India has been a victim of terrorism since over a decade, China also faces extremism from a section of the ethnic Uyghurs residing in its Xinjiang province. Along with nationals from other countries, the Uyghurs were also found training for Jehad in some of the terrorist camps in Afghanistan.
Government sources here pointed out that while Pakistan had taken action on its soil to block movement of Uyghurs into China, Beijing continues to remain concerned about cross-border terrorism from some of the neighbouring Central Asian republics. Not surprisingly, China holds regular consultations with the Central Asian states and Russia under the Shanghai-six framework. By establishing a dialogue mechanism with India, it has now opened another channel to counter terrorism.
During a meeting with the Lok Sabha Speaker, G.M.C. Balayogi, Mr. Zhu reiterated his condemnation of the December 13 attack on Parliament.
Keen to remove key irritants in the relationship, India and China have decided to accelerate the clarification of their disputed boundary. Both sides have already arrived at an understanding of the alignment of the LAC in Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal. They are now gearing up for a similar exercise along the Sino-Indian boundary in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. India and China differ on the LAC alignment at eight spots in the Western sector and six in the east.
The Chinese Premier's visit is also sharply focused on building a strong commercial relationship with India. Mr. Zhu has said that Indian goods will now have greater access into the Chinese market under the WTO guidelines. According to reports from Beijing, India-China trade in the last one year has crossed the three billion mark. Signaling the impetus on commerce, a 25- member business delegation will join Mr. Zhu in Mumbai. The Chinese Premier is traveling to Bangalore to seek tie-ups involving Chinese hardware and Indian software in the Information Technology sector.
During his visit, Mr. Zhu has stressed expansion of interaction among Indian and Chinese political leaders, officials, businessmen and academics.
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