The Hindu : `China identifies India as partner for coordination'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 24, 2003

International

International - India & World

`China identifies India as partner for coordination'

By P.S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE July 23. The governing Communist Party of China (CPC) today indicated to its fraternal interlocutor, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), that Beijing had identified New Delhi as a partner for ``increased coordination in world affairs'' so as to ``promote democratisation and multi-polarisation of international relations''.

The CPC's perspectives on China's evolving relations with India — in the more specific context of the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee's recent visit to Beijing — were outlined by Wang Jiarui, Minister in the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, and Cai Wu, Vice-Minister in the same Department, when the CPI(M)'s good-will delegation called on them in the Chinese capital today.

The CPI(M) delegation is headed by Sitaram Yechury, politburo member, and includes central committee members, Hari Singh Kang and the Jammu and Kashmir legislator, Yusuf Tarigami.

Describing Mr. Vajpayee's recent mission to China as ``a great leap forward'' in the bilateral domain and appreciating the CPI(M)'s role as a ``steadfast'' political force in fostering the Sino-Indian relationship in fair and foul weather, the CPC leaders are understood to have identified five important areas for dynamic interaction between the two countries in the present context.

These relate to (1) a greater exchange of delegations at all levels; (2) an expansion of bilateral economic cooperation; (3) active interactions in the spheres of health, culture, education as also science and technology; (4) ``increased coordination'' on the international stage in a bid to promote a democratic world order as also a multi-polar global dispensation; and (5) the strengthening of bilateral ties at all levels.

A wide-ranging agenda was made possible by the ``beginning of a new phase'' on the bilateral front following the Indian Prime Minister's recent ``landmark visit'' to China, it was emphasised by the CPC leaders.

Amplifying the forward thrust of the Chinese effort, the CPC leaders underlined that Beijing would not see a strong India as a threat to China's interests and status in world affairs. In fact, a ``strong China'' and also a ``strong India'' would be ``important'' for Asia and the world, it was pointed out.

Summing up the mood and substance of today's talks, Mr. Sitaram Yechury said, in a telephonic conversation from Beijing, that the CPC leaders presented an ``evaluated'' update on the current dynamics on the Sino-Indian scene. The CPI(M) delegation is the first Indian outfit to engage the Chinese side in a political-level dialogue in the context of the latest trends on the bilateral scene.

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