Indian Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale has said that it is important to not alter the “status quo” at sensitive points at the India-China border adding that the Doklam standoff was blown out of proportion.
Speaking to the state-owned Chinese newspaper Global Times, the ambassador said that post-Doklam, India and China must hold candid talks for resolving contentious issues, such as the $50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The standoff at Doklam in Sikkim lasted for 73 days and started when the Chinese military attempted to build a road close to Chicken Neck corridor, sparking tensions. It finally ended after China agreed on August 28 to stop road building.
China has asserted rights on Doklam which is also claimed by Bhutan. According to recent reports however, Chinese troops are building facilities near the standoff area. There are also reports of Chinese military attempts to develop a road inside the Indian Territory in Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh which has since been resolved.
Must Work Together And Be Sensitive To Others’ Concern
Bambawale said that it was important to “talk to each other and not talk past each other”, adding that both countries must be “sensitive to the other side’s concerns” and the interactions must be based “on equality and mutual benefit”.
Bambawale also sought to dispel the notion of India-China rivalry, stating that India and China are “partners in development and progress”, and not rivals. He said that with better “trust and understanding” there will be “a stronger partnership” between the two countries .
He also asserted that there is no “anti-China mentality” in India, noting that many in India have “great admiration” for China’s achievements in economic development.
Bambawale also referred to the success of Bollywood superstar, Aamir Khan’s Dangal and Secret Superstar in China and asked for China to allow screening of more Indian films as that will enable the Chinese to understand India better.
Trade Deficit And CPEC Issues Must Be Discussed
Bambawale however also took the opportunity to highlight some of the major issues between the two countries:
- The first issue is the “large and growing trade deficit” with China. Bambawale pointed out that the deficit for India in 2017 is likely to be USD 55 billion, and asked why China is not opening its markets to Indian Pharmaceuticals and IT products.
- The second issue highlighted by him was that the CPEC currently passes through “Indian-claimed territory” which violates India’s “territorial integrity”. He said that the two sides must discuss the issue and not “push it under the carpet”.
Bambawale has suggested that India and China work together this year for having more summit-level meetings and official meetings in addition to improving exchanges of military personnel, parliamentarians, business persons, journalists, academicians, students, sportspersons and filmmakers.
More Investments In India
Highlighting the success of Chinese telcom firms in India, Bambawale called for more Chinese investments in the country. He also suggested exploring the possibility of Chinese companies helping in India’s ‘Smart Cities’ program .
Bambawale observed that India and China have common positions on several international and global issues, one of which is that of climate change.
He said that it was especially important to continue to working together on the issue given the current international situation, and congratulated Beijing city on improving its air quality by reducing pollution.
