PM Modi's China visit to focus on better economic ties

India Today Global Roundtable in Beijing ahead of PM Modi's China visit China is preparing to make "exceptional gestures" for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit which starts on Thursday, to underline its desire to build closer economic relations with India, Indian Ambassador to China Ashok Kantha said speaking on the eve of the visit.
Addressing the India Today Global Roundtable in Beijing on Tuesday, Kantha said the visit will highlight deepening economic ties between the neighbours with agreements worth "several billion" dollars on the cards.
"We believe dialogue will develop a new enhanced agenda for cooperation and leaders will also address some outstanding issues," Kantha said. On the trade front, India is pushing China for greater market access for IT, pharma companies and farm products.
On the boundary issue, Kantha said both sides were in favour of an early resolution, but that ensuring peace and tranquility was essential as a prerequisite and foundation to build closer ties.

BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav, addressing the conclave, said "new energy" was already evident in the relationship, underlined in the close rapport enjoyed between Modi and President Xi Jinping last September during the Chinese leader's Gujarat visit.

Keen to reciprocate, Xi will welcome Modi in Xian in his home province of Shaanxi on Thursday - the first time he has hosted a leader outside Beijing - before the Indian Prime Minister travels to Beijing on Friday and Shanghai on Saturday.
Leading Chinese strategic expert Mao Siwei, who earlier served as Consul General in India, said there was an expectation in China that Modi would usher in a new model of relations: "India-China 2.0". "Not letting the border issue getting in the way of overall relations agreed during Rajiv Gandhi's 1988 visit was the first stage model. I sincerely hope Modi will usher in the second stage where the focus will be on Chinese investment and making in India".
At the same time, the relationship will still be challenged by the boundary issue and other sensitive matters such as China's deepening ties with Pakistan, especially through a $46 billion economic corridor through
Mao Siwei candidly admitted the Chinese government was facing "great pressure" on the boundary as highlighted by the dozens of comments posted to Modi's recently opened account on Chinese Twitter Sina Weibo that reminded India about China's claims on Arunachal.
"They say please return south Tibet to China, this is a great pressure the Chinese government is facing".
He also defended China's investments in PoK saying that "a stable Pakistan is in India's interests".
Ram Madhav however said that while India was following "a policy of dehyphenation" vis-à-vis Pakistan and China, "unfortunately China believes in rehyphenation".
At the same time he had "a lot of optimism" with India "taking a totally new course in strengthening the relationship".

Senior Congress leader and former MoS Home RPN Singh said the success of Modi's visit should be measured on concrete outcomes and "meaningful strides", more than just a "perfect picture".

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