India, China should respect each other's aspirations: PM Modi to Prez Xi

HANGZHOU: PM Modi aired concerns over Xi Jinping ’s signature project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC ) which runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, during a meeting with the Chinese president on the sidelines of the G20 summit on Sunday while also flagging the dangers of terrorism emanating from Pakistan.“As a matter of principle, both countries would have to be sensitive to each other’s strategic interests,” foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, outlining the broad themes that Modi stressed in his 35-minute bilateral with Xi, their eighth meeting. Modi said it was of “paramount importance that we respect each other’s aspirations, concerns and strategic interests” to ensure durable bilateral ties.“To promote positive convergence, we would also need to prevent growth of negative perception... Specific actions by both countries would play the major role,” Swarup said. Modi also stressed that “we have succeeded in maintaining peace and tranquillity on the border”, he said.Later, Modi called upon Brics leaders to step up the fight against terror, saying, “Terrorists don’t own banks or weapons factories. Someone funds and arms them, and Brics must intensify joint efforts not just to fight terror but to coordinate actions to isolate those who are supporters and sponsors of terror.”Modi also raised the issue during his meetings with Xi and Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull.Briefing reporters, Swarup, said, “This tells you how strongly the prime minister intervened on the issue of terror and how be believes that this really is the central challenge at the moment and unless we have a collective approach to this, it will not be possible for us to defeat this.”The PM’s comments suggest that terrorism would be a major point of discussion at the 8th annual summit of the Brics group in Goa on October 15 and 16.Condemning the recent suicide bomb attack on the Chinese embassy in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, Modi said it was yet more proof of the continuing scourge of terrorism. “The prime minister reiterated that our response to terror must not be motivated by political considerations,” Swarup said.Xinhua news agency quoted Xi as telling Modi, “China is willing to work with India to maintain their hard-won sound relations and further advance their cooperation. China and India should respect and care for each other on issues of major concern, and handle differences in a constructive way.” Xi said both sides had seen healthy, stable and speedy development of their relationship, and that as neighbours and developing nations, they should continue high-level exchanges.Modi met US President Barack Obama briefly. He also had a short interaction with Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia . He is likely to meet British PM Theresa May and Argentinian President Mauricio Macri before returning to Delhi.India offered to become a source of food supply to Saudi Arabia as Modi courted greater Saudi investment, especially in infrastructure.In his meeting with the deputy crown prince, Modi called for strengthened partnership with Saudi in sectors such as the maritime economy, infrastructure and low-cost housing.According to government sources, the PM invited Saudi investment in modernisation of railway stations even as India and Saudi Arabia discussed further cooperation in the energy sector.In recent months, India has had to rescue thousands of Indian workers stranded Saudi Arabia as they were abandoned, without pay by their employers, until the king intervened personally and ordered payment of dues.