India, China discuss turning differences into opportunities

Asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a very cordial and positive meeting, Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on Friday said leaders of the two nations observed that as world becomes more multi-polar, it has become more important for them to work together more closely.

Jaishankar said that during the meeting, both leaders averred that their two nations should not allow their differences to turn into disputes, but rather should turn them into opportunities.

"Meeting with China was very cordial and positive. Prime Minister Modi thanked President Xi for China's support which has made possible India's accession to the SCO. At the time of global uncertainty, India-China relations are a factor of stability. And, as the world becomes more multi-polar, it has become important for India and China to work together more closely," said Jaishankar.

"There was also an understanding that where we have differences, it was important that differences should not become disputes, and in fact, if they were handled well, could even become opportunities," he added.

Jaishankar further said that both leaders also discussed economic and defence issues, including the vexed subject of terrorism and how it can be effectively tackled.

"A number of areas came up for discussion which included economic cooperation broadly specifically trade issues, investment issues, connectivity issues, the establishment of industrial parks, cooperation in railways, there were a number of security and defence issues including counter terrorism cooperation, security cooperation, defence exchange," said Jaishankar.

"There was a very positive Chinese signal over the KMY (Kailash Mansarovar Yatra), some talks of parliamentary exchanges and also a detailed discussion on cultural cooperation," he added.

Jaishankar further said that President Jinping also spoke highly of Indian culture, and lauded Indian films.

"President Xi in fact spoke very highly of the Indian films he said that his friend Dangal was doing particularly well and he himself had actually seen it and that they were looking forward to next international day of Yoga celebrations," he said.

Jaishankar also said that apart from discussing the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation President XI invited Prime Minister Modi for BRICS summit and that our PM accepted and said that he looks forward to the visit.

-ANI