The Hindu : International : China: our ties should have global impact

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Saturday, Sep 01, 2007
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International

China: our ties should have global impact

Pallavi Aiyar

Both sides attach great importance to relations: India

Ready to explore cooperation with all countries for peaceful use of nuclear energy: Yang
India raises issue of growing trade deficit

Beijing: The sixth meeting of the India-China Eminent Persons Group (EPG) concluded here on Friday, ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the country later in the year.

Comprising a cross-section of experts, including academics, media professionals, former government officials and scientists, the EPG’s mandate is to make recommendations to the government on ways in which bilateral ties can be given added depth.

The Indian side was led by the former Ambassador to China, C.V. Ranganathan, while the Chinese delegation was headed by the former Vice Foreign Minister, Liu Shuqing.

“The strong message that came out of our talks was that while some problems between the two countries may persist both sides attach great importance to ties with each other,” said Mr. Ranganathan.

The EPG met Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in what Mr. Ranganathan described as a highlight.

Replying to a question by N. Ram, Editor in Chief of The Hindu and a member of the EPG, on China’s stance on the India-U.S. nuclear deal, Mr. Yang said it was ready to “explore cooperation with all countries for the pe aceful use of nuclear energy in accordance with the rules of the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency].”

The reality

Mr. Yang said both countries should “not close their eyes to the reality” that some quarters within their respective governments had “their eyes trained to the West at the European continent and East to the United States.” However, “I believe opportunities are right here in front of us in Asia, China and India.”

The Foreign Minister said, “India’s development in every aspect is in the interest of China and vice versa,” stressing that the ties between the two countries should transcend the bilateral aspect and extend to having “regional and international impact.”

The two-day EPG discussions covered a gamut of topics. On the political front, the Chinese side flagged concerns over the proposed quadrilateral exercises in the Bay of Bengal involving the Navies of India, the United States, Japan and Australia.

The Indian delegation reassured the Chinese that the initiative was not aimed against China or any other country and emphasised the importance of de-hyphenating India-U.S. or India-Japan relationship with that of India-China.

Diversified exports

On the economic front, it raised the issue of India’s growing trade deficit with China as well as highlighted the need for a more diversified basket of Indian exports. The concern over the Chinese using non-tariff barriers against Indian agricultural exports was also flagged.

The Chinese delegation recommended that India give China full Market Economy Status (MES).

Both sides, however, expressed satisfaction at the pace of growth of bilateral trade.

During the EPG’s meeting with Mr. Yang, he said he was confident that bilateral trade would cross the $30-billion mark by the year-end.

In addition, a variety of proposals was put forth by both sides to enhance cooperation in the education, cultural and scientific fields. A proposal to establish a joint study on climate change was made.

At the end of the talks, Mr. Ranganathan emphasised that making the proposals alone was not enough to ensure forward momentum in ties even if they were accepted and found a place in high level accords. What was also needed, he said, was a mechanism to ensure “visible implementation” of memoranda of understanding and other cooperative measures.

Correction:

In Pallavi Aiyar's report from Beijing headlined "China: our ties should have global impact" and published in The Hindu of September 1, China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi is quoted as remarking that both countries should "not close their eyes to the reality" that some quarters within their respective governments had "their eyes trained to the West at the European continent and East to the United States." However, "I believe opportunities are right here in front of us in Asia, China and India."

N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, who was present at the Beijing meeting, points out that the Chinese Foreign Minister did not make any reference to "some quarters within their respective governments." He provides the following correction: What Mr. Yang said was: "We must not close our eyes to the reality that some of our colleagues have kept their eyes over the Himalayas directly to the European continent and East to the United States. I'm afraid that there may perhaps be some people in India who are only used to looking West to countries like the U.K., Germany, France, or the U.S. as to what kind of cooperation can be conducted with them. But I believe opportunities are here in front of us in Asia, China, and India."

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