Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that improving Sino-India relations would send a positive message to the international community shows India wants to independently develop ties with China regardless of pressure from other countries, strategic analysts here said.
Chinese media reported that Modi, during his meeting with State Councillor Yang Jiechi in New Delhi yesterday, said that he would like to have in-depth exchange of views with Chinese leaders on furthering of bilateral ties when he visits China which would send a positive message to the international community.
"Modi put his visit to China in a global context and to deliver a goodwill message to Beijing and to the world that India will independently develop its relations with China, regardless of pressure from elsewhere," Jiang Jingkui, an expert on South Asian studies at Peking University told state-run China Daily.
Jiang said economic development is high on Modi's agenda as he won the elections last year on a wave of optimism about his ability to revitalise Asia's third-biggest economy.
"China, India's top trading partner, could play a key role in the process," he said.
Jiang cited as a prime example India's participation in the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) which aims to aid development across Asia.
The border issue is the most prominent problem in the relationship, but both countries share willingness and have established various channels to prevent it from escalating, he said.
Former Chinese ambassador to India Zhou Gang said the Sino-Indian relationship is a mature one that allows the two sides to foster ever growing cooperation and meaningfully address the border issues.
"Peace in the border region is conducive to regional stability and cooperation between the two emerging economies, particularly in areas such as rail transportation and industrial parks, which will help to boost sluggish global growth," Zhou told the Daily.
Chinese State Councillor Yang, the Special Representative for the India-China boundary talks called on Prime Minister Modi yesterday after the 18th round of talks on boundary issues in New Delhi.
During the boundary talks, co-chaired by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Yang, the two sides emphasised commitment to the three-step process to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution of the vexed issue at an early date and agreed to take necessary steps to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas.
