Good discussion on trade, terror; Kashmir issue wasn't raised: Foreign secretary sums up Modi-Xi summit
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Gokhale said that the one-on-one meeting between the leaders today lasted around 90 minutes wherein they endorsed the idea of an informal summit.
Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale on Saturday briefed the media on the second India-China informal summit between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Gokhale said that the one-on-one meeting between the leaders today lasted around 90 minutes wherein they endorsed the idea of an informal summit.
"The leaders held a good discussion on trade and terror," Gokhale stated adding that a new mechanism on trade will be established. The foreign secretary informed that the leaders did not discuss the Kashmir issue. "The issue was not raised," he said.
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale: This(Kashmir) issue was not raised and not discussed. Our position is anyways very clear that this is an internal matter of India. #Modixijinping pic.twitter.com/6tULNNCLRA
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2019
The prime minister, Gokhale said, stressed on boosting tourism between India and China and encouraged people-to-people contact.
"Both leaders agreed that it was important to deal with challenges of terrorism and radicalisation in an increasingly complex world. Both are leaders of the countries which are not only large in terms of areas and population but also in terms of diversity," Gokhale said.
Foreign Secy Vijay Gokhale: A new mechanism will be established to discuss trade,investment and services,at an elevated level. From China it will be the Vice Premier, Hu Chunhua and from India it will be FM Nirmala Sitharaman pic.twitter.com/msz6pwgU2I
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2019
President Xi Jinping invited PM Modi to China for the next summit. "PM Modi has accepted the invitation. Dates will be worked out later," the foreign secretary stated.
The second informal summit between India and China ended on Saturday afternoon after PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held one-on-one talks and delegation-level talks. President Xi left for his Nepal visit from Chennai airport.
During the delegation-level talks, PM Modi said that last year's informal summit in Wuhan, China "instilled a new momentum and trust in our relations and today's 'Chennai connect' is the start of a new era in India-China relations".
"The first informal summit between India and China last year in Wuhan led to fresh stability in our relations and gave a fresh momentum." he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said that on Friday he engaged in candid conversations "like friends" with PM Modi. We held "heart to heart discussions on bilateral relations," Xi said.
"We are really overwhelmed by your hospitality. My colleagues and I have felt that very strongly. This will be a memorable experience for us," President Xi said.