India’s idea of connectivity goes beyond mere physical connectivity and is not restricted to building of roads, railways, ports, shipping lines, electricity grids, oil pipelines and fibre optic cables.
Speaking at Raisina Dialogue, Minister of State for External Affairs General (Retd) VK Singh said that the Indian concept of connectivity also includes coordinating the financial, regulatory, legal, institutional and commercial aspects.
He also added that people-to-people connectivity and the cross-cultural and civilsational heritage that connects people in the region too is important. “This holistic view of connectivity can help create an environment of mutual understanding, contribute through building greater trust among different actors and thereby facilitate smoother implementation of the connectivity agenda,” Singh said.
Speaking at a China discussion forum, former Chinese Foreign Minister li Zhaoxing said strengthening relations with its neighbourhood is among the biggest challenge before China and in this regard the country’s policy makers are working hard. “We are happy to have India as a neighbour. India plays such an important role in peace and takes leading role in other common causes,” said li, who is also the chair of China’s Public Diplomacy Association. Interference in South China Sea by `certain big powers’ and maintaining peace in the region was the other challenges li mentioned for China.