[<<“There was also an understanding that ***where we have differences, differences should not become disputes. In fact, if handled well, (it) can even become opportunity*** (emphasis added),” he said, indicating India’s softening stand and efforts to bring down the temperature in the relationship.>>
What astonishing words of ancient Indian wisdom! <<“***The sense of the meeting was that the two countries have great interest in working with each other and we will have differences. Where we have differences, how to work and find common ground.*** (Emphasis added.) And wherever we have concerns, each side will look at it with a degree of seriousness,” said Jaishankar, in remarks perceived as an attempt to create a more diplomatic maneuvering space for dealing with China.>>] What impressive display of sense of good neighbourliness! Only, it's in sharp contrast with the conduct in the too recent past. <<The last two meetings between Modi and Xi, in Goa in October and in Tashkent in June last year, when the leaders went into specifics, did not go well. While Tashkent was a disappointment since Xi did not yield to Modi’s request for NSG membership, Goa witnessed no softening of position on Masood Azhar’s listing at the UN.>> So, what's the driver now!? <<Indicating that ***the two leaders talked about closing ranks, in the face of an unpredictable US administration under President Donald Trump, Jaishankar said, “The broad thrust was that at a time of global uncertainty, India-China relations are a factor of stability.*** (Emphasis added.) As the world becomes more multipolar, it is important for India and China to work together closely.”>> One can, in this context, hardly resist the temptation to recall our comment, in a forwarding note to a post, titled: 'China Displays Abundant Caution on (Thorny) Indo-Pak Relations: A (Semi-Official) Comment on the Role of the SCO in this regard' archived at <https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/greenyouth/oVaPRIxsLds>, just yesterday: <<India joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) - evidently, led by China, at this very point of time, right after openly boycotting the recently held Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum conference in China, and against the backdrop of its loud and persistent protests against China stonewalling its intense bid for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), with the other contender Pakistan left out, and its attempts to openly corner Pakistan in the various international fora on the issue of "terrorism" appears somewhat jarring and inconsistent. Apart from the (not-too-distant) history of (very considerable) cooperations between the two countries on the issue of climate and multilateral global trade - regardless of frictions in many other areas, reflecting the complexities of international relations, ***the fact that its main international ally, and projected mentor, the US, at the moment, appears to be in considerable disarray, constantly emitting all sorts of confusing signals with no rational hope of betterment in the scenario in the immediate future, perhaps, only perhaps, has also played a role*** (emphasis added now).>> The fact that our prognosis - admittedly somewhat tepid though, based exclusively on info available in public domain with no access to "inside sourses", now stands officially, and explicitly, validated cannot but be only profoundly gratifying.] http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-pak-enter-shanghai-group-pm-modi-message-to-xi-jinping-and-nawaz-sharif-4696899/ India, Pakistan enter SCO, PM Narendra Modi message to Xi Jinping and Nawaz Sharif Pushing for OBOR, Xi sought deepening of “practical cooperation” and said the SCO may well serve as an “important platform” for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Written by Shubhajit Roy | Astana | Updated: June 10, 2017 9:07 am Astana: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan on Friday. PTI Photo The diplomatic games between India, China and Pakistan were in full play in Astana on Friday, as both India and Pakistan became members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). While Chinese President Xi Jinping started the day by telling Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he “liked” the Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal, sources said he did not raise the One Belt One Road (OBOR) issue — India boycotted the summit in Beijing last month. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who had a meet-and-greet with Modi on Thursday evening, is understood to have met Modi again on Friday, before and after the SCO summit, when the two leaders were in the lounge. During the SCO summit at the Palace of Independence, Modi and Sharif were seated separately, with the Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Javad Zarif sitting between them. There were five people separating the two leaders, including National Security Advisor Ajit K Doval and Pakistan PM’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz. Read | PM Modi, Xi Jinping to meet today in first talks after India stayed away from OBOR At the summit, the leaders articulated their views, consistent with their stated diplomatic objectives. Pushing for OBOR, Xi sought deepening of “practical cooperation” and said the SCO may well serve as an “important platform” for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Read | India, Pak get ready to join Shanghai Cooperation Organisation – and future joint military exercises With Xi listening in, Modi made India’s objections on OBOR clear, as he said that connectivity projects in the region should respect “territorial integrity and sovereignty”, and maintain “inclusivity and sustainability”. “Connectivity with SCO countries is India’s priority, and we totally support it. For the success and approval of the connectivity initiatives and proposals, sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected, and inclusivity and sustainability is essential,” said Modi, as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres looked on. “Terrorism is one of the biggest violators of human rights and values. So, coordination between SCO countries is an important part of the fight against terrorism and extremism. I have full faith that India’s cooperation with SCO will give a new direction and energy in the fight against terrorism,” he said, with Sharif and Aziz listening attentively. Modi also emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to fight terrorism, including radicalisation, recruitment, training and financing of terrorists. With Modi’s speech, delivered in Hindi, India sent a strong message to both countries on the hot-button issues. Sharif, meanwhile, used the opportunity to bat for CPEC and OBOR. He said the SCO’s expansion was taking place at an opportune time, as the BRI transforms global economic landscape. “And, in Pakistan, we are diligently implementing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is the flagship of the BRI. What is more, these mega projects will benefit the entire SCO community,” he said. Interestingly, these speeches took place about four hours after Modi met Xi at about 10 am at the Beijing Palace hotel here, where the Chinese leader and his delegation are staying. According to Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, the 40-minute meeting was “very positive and cordial”. This was a markedly different posturing from their last meeting in Goa, where they met on the margins of the BRICS summit, when all the hot-button issues were raised, ranging from NSG to Masood Azhar. ***“There was also an understanding that where we have differences, differences should not become disputes. In fact, if handled well, (it) can even become opportunity,” he said, indicating India’s softening stand and efforts to bring down the temperature in the relationship.*** [Emphasis added.] ***“The sense of the meeting was that the two countries have great interest in working with each other and we will have differences. Where we have differences, how to work and find common ground. And wherever we have concerns, each side will look at it with a degree of seriousness,” said Jaishankar, in remarks perceived as an attempt to create a more diplomatic maneuvering space for dealing with China.*** [Emphasis added.] “They are the President and the Prime Minister… I think you must see this summit-level meeting for what it is,” said Jaishankar, not wanting the top leaders to get boxed in with specifics. ***The last two meetings between Modi and Xi, in Goa in October and in Tashkent in June last year, when the leaders went into specifics, did not go well. While Tashkent was a disappointment since Xi did not yield to Modi’s request for NSG membership, Goa witnessed no softening of position on Masood Azhar’s listing at the UN.*** [Emphasis added.] ***Indicating that the two leaders talked about closing ranks, in the face of an unpredictable US administration under President Donald Trump, Jaishankar said, “The broad thrust was that at a time of global uncertainty, India-China relations are a factor of stability. As the world becomes more multipolar, it is important for India and China to work together closely.”*** [Emphasis added.] He also said that a number of issues came up for discussion, including economic cooperation, investment, connectivity, establishment of industrial parks, cooperation in railways, security and defence exchanges, counter-terrorism. They also talked about the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and parliamentary and youth exchange programmes. The Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing said Xi told Modi that “China and India, as two major countries, should focus more on cooperation and work alongside to provide assistance with each other’s development goals.” Xi also called for both sides to “properly address sensitive and major issues,” said the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Sharif, while addressing the SCO summit, said, “The SCO goals resonate with Pakistan’s national ethos, and so do the core values of the Shanghai spirit and the SCO charter with our own quest for peaceful neighbourhood.” Welcoming Xi’s proposal on a five-year treaty for ‘good neighbourliness’ among SCO members, he said, “As leaders, we should leave a legacy of peace and amity for our future generations, not a toxic harvest of conflict and animosity. Instead of talking about counter-weights and containment, let us create shared spaces for all.” He did not mention the Kashmir dispute. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s media reported another round of handshakes between Modi and Sharif, even circulating a purported photograph. There was, however, no official confirmation or denial from the Indian side. The summit concluded with India and Pakistan’s admission as members of the SCO. The leaders also visited Expo-2017, which is a flagship business and cultural event organised by the Kazakhstan government. -- 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]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
