In a clear-cut message that countries cannot afford to have differences on the issue of tackling terror, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday discussed with Chinese President Xi Jinping the issue of Beijing’s opposition to India’s move to get JeM chief Masood Azhar, the brains behind the Pathankot attack, banned by the UN. He also raised Chinese hurdle in India’s bid for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership.
The bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit to be held on Sunday saw Xi disclosing that a second round of dialogue between the two countries will be held soon on India’s bid for membership of the elite NSG in which New Delhi hopes “differences” will be narrowed down. Xi said the dialogue would be helpful.
On the issue of terrorism, Modi told Xi that “Both India and China are victims of terrorism and the region was suffering from the menace. The Prime Minister said no country is immune from terrorism and on this issue, we cannot afford to have any differences,” MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup told reporters after the meeting. “In particular, India and China must increase their coordination in context of UN 1267 committee and look for common ground,” he said.
Modi was quoted as saying, “My meeting with President Xi Jinping was fruitful. We discussed various aspects of India-China ties.”
Swarup said both sides recognised that terrorism as a “key issue” with Xi asserting that the two sides should strengthen the security dialogue and partnership. “Both India and China have been victims of terrorism which was a scourge afflicting the entire region,” Indian Ambassador to China Vijay Gokhale quoted Modi as saying while referring to terror incidents in Afghanistan, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Swarup said India was in dialogue with China on enforcing a UN ban on Azhar. “We expect China will see logic in it.” The Prime Minister said India and China must increase cooperation in the fight against terrorism and look for a common ground and a long-term road to tackle the menace. Xi said India and China must step up counter-terrorism efforts and strengthen security dialogue and partnership. It was announced that Yang Jiechi will meet his Indian counterpart NSA Ajit Doval soon.
Asked whether China has been provided with any evidence in the pursuit of obtaining China’s support on the Azhar issue, Swarup said “no evidence”. He said Indian side has not spared any effort to convey that to Chinese and it hopes that they “see logic”.
To another question, he said China condemns all forms of terrorism and a counter-terrorism dialogue has taken place with it. “This will be discussed in the next round and our expectation is that China will take all steps... (to check the menace).”
Asked whether China reiterated the position that membership of the NSG was by consensus among parties, Swarup replied “no”.
The two leaders also noted the upcoming visit by Chinese State Councillor Yang who will hold talks with National Security Advisor Doval where the dialogue will continue.