Notwithstanding the current unease in Sino-India relations, China on Thursday said “sound and stable” development of ties in recent years has proved that the “dragon” and the “elephant” can join hands
Notwithstanding the current unease in Sino-India relations, China on Thursday said “sound and stable” development of ties in recent years has proved that the “dragon” and the “elephant” can join hands and peacefully co-exist.
“Once, predictions about our future relations dwelled on ‘rivalry between the dragon and the elephant’. However, the sound and stable development of bilateral relations in recent years has proved that the ‘dragon’ and the ‘elephant’ can join hands to dance together,” minister counsellor of the Chinese embassy Cheng Guangzhong said on Thursday.
The conciliatory tone comes ahead of bilateral talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to take place on Saturday ahead of the Brics Summit in Goa on Sunday. This also comes in the wake of the recent fourth edition of the India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue that was held in New Delhi October 7 on several economic and infrastructural issues including high-speed railways on the Chennai-Bangalore-Mysore, Delhi-Nagpur and the Delhi-Chennai sectors.
“The two sides reviewed achievements in areas such as feasibility study of raising speed of existing railways, feasibility study of high-speed railway... The two sides also reached consensus on the next steps. China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group CO. LTD has officially delivered the Interim final feasibility study report on the Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysore railway upgradation project to India High-speed Railway Company. After further modification and improvement of the report (if any), the two sides will discuss further on cooperation and research on project implementation, including design consulting, building construction and project financing so as to promote cooperation and achieve concrete results,” the official minutes of the dialogue stated.
“On the basis of whole section planning, China Railway Siyuan Survey and design Group Company (CRSSDGC) submitted inception report of Feasibility in Delhi-Nagpur high-speed railways. The two sides agreed to have further discussions... The two sides agreed to push forward the feasibility study on Delhi-Nagpur high-speed railway and construction of Delhi-Chennai high-speed railway. China Southwest Jiaotong University and Training Department of the Ministry of Railways of India agreed to hold 8 training courses (320 participants in total) in the field of high-speed railway,” the Minutes added.
Meanwhile, speaking at the inauguration of a China-themed book editorial office in India, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy Cheng Guangzhong said China and India with their distinctive histories, cultures and religions can bring their diversity into full play when cooperating with each other in different areas. “Cultural exchanges and dialogues are crucial for the two countries to seek common ground while maintaining individual characteristics. Two of the oldest civilisations in the world, China and India, are more than capable of finding ways to achieve peaceful coexistence as giant neighbours,” he was quoted by news agencies, as saying.
Noting that China and India are emerging markets with big potential for development, Cheng said, “We are also ancient civilisations with a time-honoured history and brilliant culture. The two neighbours have long engaged in exchanges and mutual learning. As major countries in Asia, China and India have always been a focus of attention.”
Leaders, who have helped forge China-India friendship, have said that a true Asian century will come only when China and India are both developed and that when India and China come together, it will be a big event for Asia and indeed even the world, he asserted.
“The two largest Asian nations bear the historical responsibility and mandate of the times to maintain peace and stability in Asia and achieve its prosperity and renewal,” Cheng said.
Sino-Indian ties have recently been under stress due to issues like China’s opposition to India’s efforts to get JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN and Beijing’s efforts to scuttle India’s membership of the NSG.
According to reports, China has also blocked a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra in Tibet as part of the construction of its “most expensive” hydro-power project, causing concern in India as it may impact water flows into the lower riparian countries.
