New Delhi: In the wake of regular faceoffs in Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his talks on Thursday with visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping, said he had raised India’s “serious concern over repeated incidents along the border” and “suggested that clarification of the Line of Actual Control would greatly contribute to our efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity”.
Mr Modi also said he had “requested President Xi to resume the stalled process of clarifying the LAC”, adding that the two countries should also seek an early settlement of the boundary question. In response, President Xi said that as the LAC is yet to be demarcated, “sometimes there might be certain incidents” that could take place, but both sides are “fully capable” of handling such incidents to ensure these “do not leave a big impact on ties”.
President Xi also described the “boundary issue” as one left over by history. He said peace and tranquillity between the two nations on the border would have to be maintained before the two countries are able to settle the “border question”. The latest border incursions by China at Chumar and Demchok in Ladakh cast a shadow over President Xi’s visit and were prominently raised by India in the talks between the two leaders.
Prime Minister Modi also said he raised India’s concerns on “China’s visa policy” (stapled visas) and “trans-border rivers”, an apparent reference to the proposed diversion of the Brahmaputra by China. The PM also said China had committed to invest about $20 billion in India in the next five years, but “expressed concern at the slowdown in trade,” asking the Chinese to “ investment opportunities for Indian companies in China”.
