The Indian Government on Tuesday dismissed a report published in Chinese daily Global Times that said difference on crucial issues between India-China will continue despite Strategic Dialogue. Ministry of External Affairs said India finds restructured form of dialogue to be a productive exercise that addressed the full complexity of India-China relations.
MEA also termed the talks to be open and useful exchanges on several issues while adding discussions should continue in sphere where two countries failed to find a common ground.
“Our assessment is that the recent meeting was positive and constructive. We both agreed that at the time when the global situation is in flux, a more stable, substantive and forward-looking India-China relationship was good for the international system. The two sides had open and useful exchanges on Afghanistan, United Nations, counter-terrorism and nuclear issues. While in some cases, we found common ground, in others, it was felt that dialogue should continue further,” MEA’s new spokesperson Gopal Baglay said about the Press commentaries on the recent Strategic Dialogue with China.
Baglay added that on the bilateral side, there was appreciation of progress on areas like investment and tourism.
“At the same time, both sides articulated their respective concerns and remain committed to working together in that regard. We found the Strategic Dialogue in its restructured form to be a productive exercise that addressed the full complexity of India-China relations. It is important that we take a balanced and objective view of what is clearly one of the key relationships in international politics,” Baglay said.
The Global Times reported that while China and India exchanged views frankly during the strategic dialogue their disputes on specific issues, including India’s bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and anti-terrorism, will persist.