Meet a diplomatic move to cement trade ties: BJP

CHENNAI: More than anyone else, the BJP here, eagerly looks forward to Friday's second informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping. The party views the Mamallapuram summit as a diplomatic move to revive cultural and trade ties between the two countries.

Reviving the ancient trade links from the fabled Mahabalipuram, which has been the earliest seat of trade between the two Asian giants, particularly the cultural connect, would it appears make the BJP to eclipse the DMK's brag on Tamil pride. “The revival of ties would not only prosper our economy but also make our borders safe. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's idea of pursuing the Mamallapuram diplomacy will surely bring back the golden days of excellent relationship the people under Narasimhavarman I and the Chinese enjoyed then,” says Vanathi Srinivasan, BJP state general secretary.

Mrs. Vanathi who had visited China, believes that Mr. Modi's initiatives would make the Chinese open up trade ties with India in a big way. “Such ties are mutually beneficial. During my visit to China, I realised the greatness of Tamils, when I learnt that the Chinese revere Bhodidharma who had established the Shaolin temple there. He had spread Buddhism, besides Siddha medicine and our ancient martial arts,” she adds.

The Pallavas kings, particularly the great Narasimhavarman-I,  was known to have been good in trading and building partnerships with other countries. The Pallava Kings had trade and defence relationship with China. “There is every possibility that the relationship between the two countries would be built on these lines,” a BJP leader added.

Quoting from various books, BJP State executive member Narayanan Thirupathy says Chinese Traveller Hiuen Tsang who had visited India had collected 627 Sanskrit books, which he took with him to China and got them translated. “Though we read a few paragraphs on Tsang, he came during Narasimha Pallava period to learn about Buddhism and he had visited Kancheepuram too,” he said. The party also feels that the PM would seek favourable terms for India's exports to China.