New Delhi, May 21: Ahead of his state visit to China, President Pranab Mukherjee said India seeks a “fair, reasonable” and mutually acceptable settlement of boundary question which will help in achieving full potential of Sino-India relationship.
Talking to state-run Chinese Central Television (CCTV) and Xinuha news agencies ahead of his first state visit beginning May 24, the President spoke on various issues including India’s concerns on terrorism, bilateral trade and cultural and educational exchanges.
In reply to a question about some “sensitive problems” left over from history between India and China, Mukherjee said India would like to expand and diversify its engagement with China across various fields while “proactively addressing outstanding issues” including the boundary question.
“We seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary question and, pending the boundary settlement, to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas.
“Both sides should strive to ensure that the outstanding issues are addressed in a manner that demonstrates mutual sensitivity to each other’s concerns, interests and aspiration,” he said and added that it was only in this manner can “we ensure that these differences will not come in the way of continued development of bilateral relations.”
The President also favoured increasing mutual trust and understanding through stepped-up dialogue on political, security and strategic issues.
“We should expand our defence exchanges and increase economic engagement, especially through greater investments,” he said and also suggested “functional cooperation at international fora”.
In reply to another question on his state visit, the President said, “we are doing well but the full potentiality is yet to be achieved. That is why we want to resolve all outstanding issues in a mutually acceptable manner, keeping in mind the aspirations, concerns, sensitivities of each country.”
Mukherjee said India desires to constantly engage in dialogue to find a resolution of all outstanding issues which is “holding us back from fully developing our potential”.
“My objective is to discuss all important issues,” he said on his upcoming talks with Chinese leaders.
On the issue of terrorism, the President said if both India and China come together to fight the menace then “it would have its own impact”.
“India has been victim of terror activities for a very long period of time. We know how menacing terrorism is. India and China are both huge countries, multicultural and multiracial. If we come together in fighting this menace, I am sure it would have its own impact,” Mukherjee said.
He said India believes that every country should always have a zero tolerance policy towards terrorism. “The fight should be all-out, all comprehensive. There cannot be any qualification in fighting this menace. Terrorism in all manifestations, in all aspects, ought to be fought and for that, total cooperation amongst nations is absolutely necessary,” the President said.
Talking about the growing economic cooperation and trade expansion between the two nations, he said India requires investment from China in areas like infrastructure, modernisation and development of railways, communication, manufacturing etc.
“These are fields in which investment from China is welcome. Our Make in India, Digital India, Smart Cities programme etc. will open windows for Chinese investment. And, we have the mechanisms through which these investments could be assured and there would be no risk in investment. Our trade, economic and commercial cooperation, including investments should not be confined to a couple of areas or a couple of commodities. It should be comprehensive,” Mukherjee said.
He said perhaps China may have a flexible approach in respect of trade and foreign investments in sectors like pharmaceuticals and agro products where India has developed expertise and has emerged as an important global player and where there is immense requirement in China.
“That will address expansion of volume of trade between the two countries as well as the current distortion we have in the trade balance. It will help both the countries to address the trade balance, if sizable investment takes place from China to India. That is why, we always welcome investments from China,” the President said.
