Peace on border important for progress, PM Modi tells Xi
The talks come amid the worst Chinese incursion in years
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday it was important to have peace on both the countries' disputed border, as a stand-off between India-China troops at the frontier overshadowed key talks.
"I have said we need to solve the border disputes... we are clear that peace on the border is the basis of the relationship between the two nations," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi after formal talks with Xi.
“For peace and stability at the border, clarity on LAC is crucial and essential. I have expressed concern at the recent border incidents,” he said, adding, “The boundary question must be resolved at the earliest.”
Modi also expressed his gladness over development of industrial parks. “I am happy that China will build 2 industrial parks in India and in 5 years China will make an investment of $20 billion,” added Modi.
“There will be a new route to Kailash Mansarovar in order to make pilgrimage accessible by road and offers safer alternative,” the Prime Minister said.
“I have also expressed concern over China's visa policy and trans border rivers. An early resolution would enhance mutual trust,” he said.
PM Modi : I urged Prez Xi Jinping that our companies get easier market access & investment opportunities in China pic.twitter.com/YU18wPp4Py
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 18, 2014Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was committed to working with India to maintain "peace and tranquility" on their disputed border, following a stand-off between troops at the frontier.
"We also have the sincerity to work with India to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas before we are finally able to settle the border question," Xi said in New Delhi after talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Chinese president Xi Jinping expressed his happiness regarding India’s accomplishments. “India has achieved enormous development and achievements. Hope that under PM PM Modi, India will scale new heights,” he said.
“China will set up one industrial park in Gujarat and another in Maharashtra,” he said, adding, “We talked about development of railways, encourage improvements of speed of trains between Chennai and Mysore.”
“Both sides have agreed that the year 2015 will be the year to visit India in China and 2016 will be the year to visit China in India.”
China also expressed support to India's full membership in Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
The president also invited PM Modi on an official visit to China.