Asserting that India and China have a shared interest in a peaceful and stable region, including peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said New Delhi and Beijing will build closer cooperation on the shared challenges of terrorism and extremism.
"We had a productive discussion on regional and international developments and agreed to strengthen our strategic dialogue on these issues. We both understand that India and China have a shared interest in a peaceful and stable region, including peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan," Prime Minister Modi said.
"We will build closer cooperation on the shared challenges of terrorism and extremism. We also agreed to cooperate on our many shared interests at the global level," he added while addressing the media along with Chinese President Xi Jingping after holding delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House here.
Prime Minister Modi said that he and the Chinese President discussed regional connectivity and the proposal for Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar Economic Corridor.
"Located at the crossroads of Asia, India believes that reconnecting Asia is important for its collective prosperity. I also believe that our efforts to rebuild physical connectivity in the region would also require a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment," he added.
Prime Minister Modi said that he is pleased to host the Chinese President in Delhi within months of the formation of his government in Delhi.
Stating that he attaches great importance and priority to India's relations with China, Prime Minister Modi said: "We are two ancient civilizations with a long history of engagement. China is our largest neighour, and India's neighbourhood occupies a special place in my national development plans and foreign policy. Today, we are the world's two most populous countries and its two largest emerging economies. We are both undergoing economic transformation on an unprecedented scale and speed."
"Therefore, a climate of mutual trust and confidence; respect for each other's sensitivities and concerns; and, peace and stability in our relations and along our bordersare essential for us to realize the enormous potential in our relations," he added.
Prime Minister Modi further said, "If we achieve that, we can reinforce each other's economic growth. We can contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in our region. And, we can give new direction and energy to the global economy."
Prime Minister Modi said India and China have decided deepen the engagement at all levels and hold regular summit level meetings.
"Over the two days in Ahmedabad and Delhi, we had opportunities to discuss the full range of issues in our relationship, including political and security issues, economic relations and people-to-people contacts," said Prime Minister Modi.
"We agreed that our economic relations do not do justice to our potential. I expressed concern at the slowdown in trade and the worsening trade imbalance. I sought his partnership in improving market access and investment opportunities for Indian companies in China. President Xi assured me of his commitment to take concrete steps to address our concerns," he added.
Prime Minister Modi said that he has invited Chinese investments in India's infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, and added that he spoke about the new policies and administrative steps in this area.
"I am pleased with the agreements on two Chinese industrial parks in India and a commitment to realize about 20 billion U.S. dollars of Chinese investments in the next five years. This opens a new chapter in our economic relations," said Prime Minister Modi.
"We have also agreed on specific steps to enhance cooperation in upgrading India's railways sector. We will begin the process of discussions on civil nuclear energy cooperation that will bolster our broader cooperation on energy security," he added.
Prime Minister Modi said that he welcomes the five-year economic and trade development plan as an important new step to pursue higher ambitions in the economic relations between the two sides.
The Prime Minister said the agreements and announcements today demonstrate that people-to-people contacts, culture, tourism and art are central to our efforts to strengthen our partnership.
"On behalf of the people of India, I thank President Xi for opening a new route through Nathu La to Kailash Mansarovar. This will be in addition to the existing route through Uttarakhand. The new route offers many benefits," said Prime Minister Modi.
"It makes Kailash Mansarovar accessible by a motorable road, which is especially beneficial to the older pilgrims. It offers a safer alternative in the rainy season, makes the pilgrimage shorter in duration, and will enable a much higher number of pilgrims to go there," he added.
The Prime Minister said that he and the visiting Chinese President also exchanged views on outstanding differences in the relationship between the two sides in a spirit of candour and friendship.
"I raised our serious concern over repeated incidents along the border. We agreed that peace and tranquility in the border region constitutes an essential foundation for mutual trust and confidence and for realizing the full potential of our relationship. This is an important understanding, which should be strictly observed," said Prime Minister Modi.
"While our border related agreements and confidence building measures have worked well, I also suggested that clarification of Line of Actual Control would greatly contribute to our efforts to maintain peace and tranquility and requested President Xi to resume the stalled process of clarifying the LAC. We should also seek an early settlement of the boundary question," he added.
Prime Minister Modi said there were also discussions on India's concerns relating to China's visa policy and Trans Border Rivers.
"I am confident that their early resolution would take mutual trust to a new level," he added.
Emphasizing that this is a historic opportunity for the relationship between India and China, filled with vast possibilities, Prime Minister Modi said: " We can start a new era in our relations. If we are sensitive to our opportunities and challenges, then I am confident that we will fulfill our responsibility to make it a great success.
