Context:

Talks between Modi and Xi were aimed at building on the relationship reset that began in Wuhan in April last year.

The Wuhan spirit had given a new momentum and trust to our ties. In the summit, Modi and Xi decided to issue “strategic guidance” to their militaries to strengthen communication and build trust and understanding.

This year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held “productive” talks as part of the second India-China informal summit in the southern coastal town of Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu.

Mamallapuram Summit: 2nd India-China Informal Summit:

• In his delegation level talks with Xi Jinping, PM Modi noted that India and China were global economic powers during most of the last 2000 years and were returning to stage gradually.
• A new era of cooperation will begin today through ‘Chennai Connect’,” Modi said while referring to the outcome of the first informal summit between the two leaders in the Chinese port last year.
• The prime minister said strategic communication between the two countries increased following the first informal summit in Wuhan.
• India and China had decided to prudently manage differences and not to allow them to become disputes.
• We had decided that we will be sensitive towards each other’s concerns.

What will be the agenda in Mamallapuram:

PM Narendra Modi will hold one-to-one and delegation-level talks with the Chinese President.

In the Mamallapuram summit, the focus of the talks is likely to be on steps to ensure mutual development and expanding overall ties.

The focus of the meeting is on improving people to people contact and on how to maintain peace and tranquillity on the India-China border.

The meeting between them has no specific agenda but issues like terrorism, terror funding, support and sourcing are likely to come up during Chinese President Xi Jinping and PM Narendra Modi’s talks.

The two leaders are likely to decide dates for the next Special Representatives talks.

New mechanism to be set up to discuss trade and investment:

India and China plan to set up a new mechanism to discuss ways and means to reduce trade deficit ($53 billion), enhance mutual trade, investment and services.

This was one of the important understandings reached out by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of the two-day informal summit between the two leaders.

The new mechanism will be at an elevated level.

The decision on when and how this mechanism will be activated will be done now through diplomatic channels.

Terrorism a common threat:

• Both leaders are concerned that terrorism continues to pose a common threat.
• As countries that are large and diverse, they recognised the importance of continuing to make joint efforts to ensure that the international community strengthens the framework against training, financing and supporting terrorist groups throughout the world and on a non-discriminatory basis.
• They shared the view that an open, inclusive, prosperous and stable environment in the region is important to ensure the prosperity and stability of the region.
• They also agreed on the importance of concluding negotiations for a mutually-beneficial and balanced RCEP.

Areas of Defence and security:

• Chinese President raised the issue of defence and security, and said there is a need to step up engagement in this area to enhance trusts between the two militaries and security forces.
• They have extended an invitation to Defence Minister to visit China. The date will be decided through diplomatic channels.
• Both the leaders had an in-depth exchange of views in a friendly atmosphere on overarching, long-term and strategic issues of global and regional importance.
• They also shared their respective approaches towards national development.
• The two leaders evaluated the direction of bilateral relations in a positive light and discussed how India-China bilateral interaction can be deepened to reflect the growing role of both countries on the global stage.
• They shared the view that the international situation is witnessing significant readjustment.
• They were of the view that India and China share the common objective of working for a peaceful, secure and prosperous world in which all countries can pursue their development within a rules-based international order.

Conclusion:

India and China were global economic powers during most of the last 2000 years and were returning to stage gradually.

The two countries should go beyond the model of differences management, actively shape bilateral relations and accumulate positive energy.

We should enhance exchanges and cooperation, promote convergence of interests and achieve common development.

Both agreed that it is important to support and strengthen the rules-based multilateral trading system at a time when globally agreed trade practices and norms are being selectively questioned.

India and China will continue to work together for open and inclusive trade arrangements that will benefit all countries.