[Modi is known for his hypes. Not for nothing he could manage to get the honorific "Feku" awarded to him. And, as far as the foreign trips are concerned, he apparently is enjoying himself to the fullest. The ferocity of selfieing with foreign dignitaries, and even justnobodies, is just one of the markers.
So, beyond the customary hypes, further accentuated by orchestrated drumbeats by Indian media, all too familiar by now, what is the real takeaway from the trip? In so far as decades old border issue is concerned, there appears to be no tangible movement at all. In fact a cartographic aggression on display during Modi's trip was only a bit too embarrassing and sobering as well. (See: "But the entire symbolism of the visit turned putrid when China's national television broadcaster CCTV beamed a controversial map of India that showed Arunachal Pradesh as 'south Tibet' and excluded large parts of Jammu and Kashmir soon after Modi landed in China." at <http://www.firstpost.com/world/modis-china-visit-high-octane-reception-muddied-cctv-map-2245418.html>.) Of course, there will be two more consulates opened in Chegdu and Chennai. There will be e-visas for Chinese tourists, but nothing on staples visas for Indians from Arunachal Pradesh. China's close relationship with Pakistan is also unlikely to change in the near future. No doubt, a number of business MOUs have been inked; but unless the diplomatic relations between the two countries see any significant shift it is rather unlikely that too many Chinese investors will rush to invest money in a big way in creating durable assets in India. So, in all likelihood, it was little more than essentially a PR exercise, on foreign soil.] I/III. http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/the-interviews-blog/modis-openness-seen-well-but-china-not-in-mood-to-compromise-on-border-simon-denyer/ Modi's openness seen well - but China not in mood to compromise on border: Simon Denyer May 18, 2015, 12:01 AM IST TOI Q&A in The Interviews Blog | Edit Page Simon Denyer is China bureau chief of The Washington Post and author of Rogue Elephant: Harnessing the Power of India's Unruly Democracy. Speaking with Srijana Mitra Das from Beijing, Denyer discussed how China's seeing PM Modi's visit, commerce versus borders shaping the India-China relationship - and why Tibet is currently on the backburner: *How has PM Modi's visit been seen by China's media and people?* ***Not many people in China really know who Narendra Modi is*** [emphasis added]. The visit did receive front-page coverage in state media and largely positive write ups - but the fact is, India does not matter as much to China as China matters to India at the moment. And the border issue remains an irritant. Similarly, Modi's debut on Weibo, Chinese social media, got a mixed reaction. Some compared his openness favourably with their own leaders - but others took the chance to bring up the question of Arunachal Pradesh. Sadly, many people in China still have a negative view about India - partly because state propaganda long held India up as an example of how democracy can hold a country back and keep it trapped in poverty. *Today, India's allied with America and Vietnam, China with Russia and Pakistan. Explain the diplomatic dynamics - is there a sense of equality or stress?* I think both China and India would like their relationship to improve, regardless of other alliances. But there's no doubt China's friendship with Pakistan and India's relationship with the United States do set some limits on how friendly governments in Beijing and Delhi can become. Stress? Manageable, I would say. Equality? Not in Beijing's eyes - it definitely sees itself as the more powerful of the two nations. *Can commerce be a viable India-China link?* Given the geo-strategic picture and the border issue, there is no doubt the economic relationship offers the best chance for closer ties. China has a close economic relationship with Japan, despite their sharp political and territorial differences - Modi wants to follow that example and get Chinese investment and expertise, particularly in infrastructure building. But there are issues in trade and investment that need considerable attention on both sides. How much resonance does the India-China border dispute have for the Chinese - is a solution likely? Again, China is not as worried about India as the other way around. Territorially, it's more focussed on the East China Sea and South China Sea than on the Himalayas. But that does not mean it is ready to compromise - in fact, China has taken a maximalist position on territorial issues in the past decade and is not in the mood to compromise with anyone. It is not averse to forging closer ties despite the border issue - but don't expect a solution any time soon. *Does Tibet figure in the discourse now?* I doubt that. After all, why focus on something you can't change? Tibet will resurface as an issue after the Dalai Lama. China's bound to try to take advantage and put renewed pressure on India about the Tibetan government-in-exile. That is going to be a tricky time in the relationship. II/III. http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-edit-page/still-battling-mistrust-but-india-and-china-have-moved-forward-on-economic-and-people-to-people-ties/ Still battling mistrust: But India and China have moved forward on economic and people-to-people ties May 18, 2015, 12:02 AM IST Manoj Joshi in TOI Edit Page The best assessment of the outcome of Narendra Modi's visit to China has been made by the Prime Minister himself. Twice on Friday, he referred to the inability of the two countries to fulfil their potential because of mistrust between them. This time around, there was no reference to the 2005 formulation that the Sino-Indian relationship was a "strategic and cooperative partnership". The tone and substance of the joint statement, which usually reflects areas of agreement, was modest. Not surprisingly, it spoke of the "imperative of forging strategic trust". In his media statement in Beijing on Friday, Modi said he had, in his official talks, "stressed the need for China to reconsider its approach on some of the issues that hold us back from realising full potential of our partnership". Later, in a speech at Tsinghua University, after outlining his plans and policies for India and the potential of the China-India political and economic partnership, Modi again emphasised the need to "address the issues that lead to hesitation and doubts, even distrust, in our relationship". Such candour is not unusual in talks between government heads, but Modi's insistent public references probably left the Chinese bemused. For too long they have gone on with the cynical claim that China's ties with Pakistan are not aimed at India, or that the border dispute is left over from history and is best left for later generations to handle. The simple fact is that Sino-Indian relations are now far too important to be allowed to fester for decades, as they have. Modi conceded that the Chinese leadership was "responsive" to him, but it is clear that they hesitated to act on his points. In his press remarks and Tsinghua speech, Modi spoke of the need to clarify the Line of Actual Control as a means of maintaining peace and tranquillity on the LAC, as well as the need for progress on the stapled visa policy. But the joint statement is silent on both issues. In the same vein, there were probably subjects that the Chinese would have liked to have seen in the joint statement, but they are not there. Tibet and one China are old hat, but Beijing would have wanted a favourable reference to President Xi Jinping's favourite scheme - the One Belt One Road initiative that seeks to build overland and maritime connectivity in Central Asia and the Indian Ocean Region. The reference to the border dispute in the joint statement is anodyne. Both sides seem adamant in wanting to get an "LAC plus" settlement. But there has clearly been forward movement in the economic and people-to-people ties. Investments could come in railways and industrial parks, new consulates will be opened in Chengdu and Chennai, initiatives to encourage province-to-province and business-to-business relations will get a fillip through Indian e-visas. As of now, many of the plans are on paper, but there is a logic to closer India-China economic ties that cannot be ignored. Still, as Modi pointed out, at present there is a self-limiting trajectory to the relations. At its heart is a dark area of mistrust, which is actually growing. In the 1962-2000 period, it was primarily related to the memories of the war and China's backing of Pakistan, to the extent of altering the strategic equations in South Asia by giving them nuclear weapons and missiles. But after 1988 China and India were able to keep aside the problems, maintain peace on a disputed 4,000 km border, build important economic relations and develop convergence on a host of global governance issues. Till the end of the Cold War, with the Soviets on their side, India effectively balanced China. Our GDPs and levels of technology were roughly the same. But in the 2000s things have changed rapidly and today China's GDP is five times that of India; Russia is drifting towards China. After 2008 China has come to be seen as a world power, bringing in its wake enormous turbulence in the world order. Yet, the Sino-Indian border dispute continues to fester and the China-Pakistan relationship seems even more solid, with little change in Islamabad's hostility towards India or China's military commitment, the latest to the provision of submarines capable of firing ballistic missiles. Layered upon this are newer areas generating mistrust - China's naval activity in the Indian Ocean and the nature of relations with India's close neighbours, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. So it is not surprising that India, feeling the ground shifting beneath its feet, is furiously modernising its military and racing to build its border infrastructure. It is reaching out to democracies like the US and Japan to maintain a balance of power, and this, in turn, following the logic of great power competition, is scaring China. In part the mistrust is fostered by a difficulty in understanding how the Chinese system functions. But rising China, instead of becoming more open and democratic, remains opaque, determined to create an authoritarian universe in its governance system, internet, media and international outlook. But conflict is not inevitable. India and China have themselves shown how it is possible to manage disputes. However, it requires a pragmatic ability to confront festering issues and resolve them. By being unusually forthright in his speeches in Beijing, that is what Modi was trying to tell China. III. http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/pmreleases.aspx?mincode=3 Joint Statement between the India and China during Prime Minister's visit to China 1. H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, is currently paying an official visit to China at the invitation of H.E. Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China. Prime Minister Modi called on H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China and held talks with H.E. Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council. He also met with H.E. Mr. Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China. Prime Minister Modi expressed his deep appreciation for the special gestures extended by President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang during the visit and thanked the Chinese people for the warm welcome accorded to him. 2. Leaders of the two countries reviewed the progress of bilateral relations. The two sides shared the view that President Xi's visit to India in September 2014 was a significant milestone in the development of bilateral relations. The leaders noted that there is a historic imperative for India and China to enrich their bilateral relations, with the agreement on building closer developmental partnership reached during President Xi's visit to India as a core component. 3. The leaders agreed that simultaneous re-emergence of India and China as two major powers in the region and the world offers a momentous opportunity for realisation of the Asian Century. They noted that India-China bilateral relations are poised to play a defining role in the 21st Century in Asia and indeed, globally. The leaders agreed that the process of the two countries pursuing their respective national developmental goals and security interests must unfold in a mutually supportive manner with both sides showing mutual respect and sensitivity to each other's concerns, interests and aspirations. This constructive model of relationship between the two largest developing countries, the biggest emerging economies and two major poles in the global architecture provides a new basis for pursuing state-to-state relations to strengthen the international system. Strengthening Political Dialogue and Strategic Communication 4. Recognizing the expanding bilateral relationship, the growing international role of India and China and the imperative of forging strategic trust, the leaders agreed to enhance communication through frequent exchanges at the leadership level and by fully utilising the existing dialogue mechanisms. 5. The two sides agreed to regular visits at the level of Heads of State/ Government. Full use will be made of the opportunities provided by the presence of their leaders at various multilateral fora to hold consultations on bilateral relations and issues of regional and global importance. 6. Noting the increasingly important role played by Indian States and Chinese Provinces in advancing the bilateral relationship, the two sides agreed to establish a State/Provincial Leaders' Forum. The first meeting of the Forum was held in Beijing on 15 May 2015, with the participation of Prime Minister Modi and Premier Li. 7. Acknowledging the contribution of high-level exchanges organised under the aegis of the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in fostering cooperation and understanding, the two sides agreed to institutionalise and expand the exchange mechanism. 8. In order to facilitate and promote greater cultural, tourism, economic and people-to-people engagement between the two countries, an additional Consulate General shall be established in each other's country. India shall open a new Consulate General in Chengdu, while China shall open a new Consulate General in Chennai. 9. The two sides believed that enhanced military ties are conducive to building mutual trust and confidence. The Indian side welcomed visit of a Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China to India this year, and the Chinese side invited Indian Defence Minister and other military leaders to visit China this year. The fifth joint counter-terrorism training between the two armies will be held in China in 2015. The two sides will exchange visits of naval ships and hold PASSEX and SAR exercises. 10. The two sides acknowledged the positive role of the Agreements and Protocols that have been signed so far in maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas. Committed to enhance border defence cooperation, the two sides will carry out annual visits and exchanges between the two Military Headquarters and neighbouring military commands, endeavour to operationalize the hotline between the two Military Headquarters, expand the exchanges between the border commanders, and establish border personnel meeting points at all sectors of the India-China border areas. 11. The two sides affirmed that an early settlement of the boundary question serves the basic interests of the two countries and should be pursued as a strategic objective by the two governments. Bearing in mind the overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples, the two sides are determined to actively seek a political settlement of the boundary question. They made a positive assessment of the important progress made through the mechanism of the Special Representatives, and reaffirmed the commitment to abide by the three-stage process for the settlement of the boundary question, and continuously push forward negotiation on the framework for a boundary settlement based on the outcomes and common understanding achieved so far, in an effort to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution as early as possible. 12. The two sides will resolve outstanding differences, including the boundary question, in a proactive manner. Those differences should not be allowed to come in the way of continued development of bilateral relations. Peace and tranquillity on the India-China border was recognized as an important guarantor for the development and continued growth of bilateral relations. Pending a final resolution of the boundary question, the two sides commit to implementing the existing agreements and continue to make efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. Next Steps in Closer Developmental Partnership 13. The two sides resolved to work together to further strengthen their closer developmental partnership as it would provide impetus to economic growth and prosperity of the two countries as well as of their respective regions and the world at large. 14. Taking note of the increase in two-way trade and investment flows in the past few years, the two sides acknowledged its positive contribution to strengthening their overall bilateral relationship and to supporting each other's growth and development processes. In this regard, it was agreed that both sides will take necessary measures to remove impediments to bilateral trade and investment, facilitate greater market access to each other's economies, and support local governments of the two countries to strengthen trade and investment exchanges, with a view to optimally exploiting the present and potential complementarities in identified sectors in the Five Year Trade and Economic Development Plan signed in September 2014, including Indian pharmaceuticals, Indian IT services, tourism, textiles and agro-products. 15. The two sides resolved to take joint measures to alleviate the skewed bilateral trade so as to realize its sustainability. Such measures will include cooperation on pharmaceutical supervision including registration, speedier phytosanitary negotiations on agro-products for two-way trade, stronger links between Indian IT companies and Chinese enterprises, and increasing services trade in tourism, films, healthcare, IT and logistics. Both sides will make full use of the India-China Joint Economic Group to work on this. The leaders welcomed the decision to expedite discussion and endeavour to favourably address, in the spirit of mutual cooperation and reciprocity, the issues pertaining to tariff reduction in respect of relevant Indian products under the framework of Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement. 16. The two leaders agreed that the Strategic Economic Dialogue is an important mechanism to explore new areas of bilateral economic cooperation. The next meeting of the Strategic Economic Dialogue, co-chaired by Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog of India and Chairman of NDRC of China, will be held in India during the second half of 2015. 17. The leaders noted with appreciation the positive momentum in investment projects as Chinese companies respond to the invitation to 'Make in India' and Indian companies expand their presence in China. 18. The two leaders noted with satisfaction the steps taken and the progress achieved in the Railway sector cooperation including the projects on speed raising on the existing Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysore line, the proposed feasibility studies for the Delhi-Nagpur section of high speed rail link, the station redevelopment planning for Bhubaneswar & Baiyappanahalli, heavy haul transportation training and setting up of a railway university. They welcomed the Action Plan outlining the next steps in the partnership in this key infrastructure sector. 19. The leaders welcomed the signing of the MoU to institute a dialogue mechanism between the NITI Aayog of India and the Development Research Centre of the State Council of China. 20. The two sides expressed their readiness to enhance cooperation between the financial regulators and enterprises of the two countries in support of the building of the Closer Developmental Partnership. Culture and People-to-people Exchanges 21. Prime Minister Modi and Premier Li attended the Yoga-Taichi demonstration event in Beijing on 15 May 2015. The two sides also agreed to work together to successfully organize events related to the International Yoga Day on 21 June 2015. The leaders welcomed collaboration between the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Yunnan National University. 22. The leaders noted that enhanced exchanges among education institutions of the two sides will play a positive role in socio-economic development of the two sides. They welcomed the signing of the expanded Educational Exchange Programme. 23. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved in the India-China Cultural Exchange Initiative. The two sides will have the annual exchange of 200 youths from each side in the second half of this year. 24. The agreements on establishing a provincial partnership between Karnataka and Sichuan and sister-city relationships between Aurangabad - Dunhuang, Chennai - Chongqing and Hyderabad - Qingdao were welcomed. 25. With a view to foster closer dialogue and mutual understanding, the two sides decided to establish a 'India-China Think Tanks Forum', which will meet annually, alternately in India and China. They also agreed to institutionalize the 'High Level Media Forum' and tasked the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the State Council Information Office of China to convene it on an annual basis, alternately in India and China. The leaders welcomed the establishment of the Center for Gandhian and Indian Studies at Fudan University, Shanghai. New Avenues for Cooperation 26. The leaders welcomed continuous enrichment of India-China Closer Developmental Partnership with its expansion into newer areas of cooperation. The leaders welcomed initiation and expansion of cooperation in the following fields and mandated the relevant agencies to implement the projects in a purposeful manner: i. Enhanced cooperation in vocational training and skill development, including through the signing of the Action Plan on the establishment of Mahatma Gandhi National Institute for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship at Gandhinagar/Ahmedabad in Gujarat; ii. Initiating cooperation in development of smart cities with identification of GIFT City in India and Shenzhen in China as pilot smart cities for joint demonstration projects; iii. In peaceful uses of outer space and the peaceful use of nuclear energy; iv. In the sphere of public health, medical education and traditional medicine; v. Welcomed the establishment of the Space Cooperation Mechanism between space authorities of India and China and the signing of the 2015-2020 Space Cooperation Outline between the Indian Space Research Organization of the Republic of India and China National Space Administration of the People's Republic of China. The two sides agreed to reinforce the cooperation in the field of Satellite Remote Sensing, Space-Based meteorology, Space Science, Lunar and Deep Space Exploration, Satellite Navigation, Space Components, Piggy-back Launching Services, and Education and Training. vi. Noting the recent visit of the Minister of Justice of China to India, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation between the law enforcing agencies of the two sides including on measures to enhance welfare of nationals of either side in the prisons of the other side. The two sides welcomed start of discussions on an agreement for transfer of sentenced persons. Trans-border Cooperation 27. The Indian side expressed appreciation to China for providing flood-season hydrological data and the assistance in emergency management. The two sides will further strengthen cooperation through the Expert-Level Mechanism on the provision of flood-season hydrological data and emergency management, and exchange views on other issues of mutual interest. 28. The two sides recognized that enhancing border areas cooperation through border trade, pilgrimage by people of the two countries and other exchanges can effectively promote mutual trust, and agreed to further broaden this cooperation so as to transform the border into a bridge of cooperation and exchanges. The two sides agreed to hold negotiation on augmenting the list of traded commodities, and expand border trade at Nathu La, Qiangla/Lipu-Lekh Pass and Shipki La. 29. The Indian side appreciated the support and cooperation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the local government of Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China to Indian pilgrims for the Kailash Manasarover Yatra (Gang Renpoche and Mapam Yun Tso Pilgrimage). To further promote religious exchange between the two countries and provide facilitation for Indian pilgrims, the Chinese side would launch the route for the Yatra through Nathu La Pass in 2015. Shaping the Regional and Global Agenda 30. As two major powers in the emerging world order, engagement between India and China transcends the bilateral dimension and has a significant bearing on regional, multilateral and global issues. Both Sides agreed to not only step up their consultations on developments affecting international peace, security and development but also coordinate their positions and work together to shape the regional and global agenda and outcomes. They agreed to further strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral forums including RIC, BRICS and G20, promote the interests of developing countries and the building of a better world. India will support China in hosting the G20 summit in 2016. 31. The leaders welcomed the decision to launch a bilateral consultative mechanism on WTO-related issues as a positive step for enhancing coordination in the context of global trade talks. 32. Both sides reiterated their strong condemnation of and resolute opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and committed themselves to cooperate on counter-terrorism. They agreed that there is no justification for terrorism and urged all countries and entities to work sincerely to disrupt terrorist networks and their financing, and stop cross-border movement of terrorists, in accordance with the relevant principles and purposes of the UN Charter and international laws. They called for early conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. 33. The two sides support a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including recognizing the imperative of increased participation of developing countries in UN's affairs and governance structures, so as to bring more effectiveness to the UN. China attaches great importance to India's status in international affairs as a large developing country, and understands and supports India's aspiration to play a greater role in the United Nations including in the Security Council. 34. The two sides are ready to continue cooperation under the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organization. China welcomed India's application for full membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization. 35. The two sides agreed to work together with relevant parties to accelerate the preparation for establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to promote regional infrastructure and economic development. 36. The two sides welcomed the progress made in promoting cooperation under the framework of the BCIM (Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar) Economic Corridor. Both sides recalled the second meeting of the Joint Study Group of BCIM Economic Corridor, and agreed to continue their respective efforts to implement understandings reached at the meeting. 37. The two sides agreed to broaden cooperation in SAARC. 38. Both sides recognized that APEC has a significant role in advancing regional economic integration and in promoting regional economic growth and prosperity, and welcomes the success of the Beijing APEC meeting. China acknowledged India's important role in driving the global economic growth, supported the openness of APEC, and welcomed India's desire to strengthen its link with APEC. 39. The two sides welcomed the India-China Dialogue on Arms Control and Non-Proliferation held in Beijing on April 17, 2015. Noting the commonalities in their approach to global arms control and non-proliferation, they agreed to continue their engagement bilaterally and in multilateral fora on arms control and non-proliferation. The Chinese side took note of India's aspirations to become a member of the NSG, in a bid to strengthen international non-proliferation efforts. 40. The two sides shared the view that the issue of climate change is of vital importance for the sake of today's world and future generations. They underscored the importance of working together and with other countries to conclude an ambitious, comprehensive, universal, balanced and equitable climate agreement at the forthcoming CoP 21 to UNFCCC to be held in Paris later this year that will also encourage genuine technology transfer, collaboration for adaptation and mitigation and financial support in meeting this common global challenge. The two sides issued Joint Statement on Climate Change between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the People's Republic of China during the visit. 41. Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Premier Li Keqiang to visit India at a mutually convenient time. Premier Li accepted the invitation with pleasure. -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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