PM Modi and US President Donald Trump had a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. In this segment WION is in conversation with Brahma Chellaney , strategic analyst.

In conversation with Brahma Chellaney over Modi-Trump's bilateral meet

PM Modi and US President Donald Trump had a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. Watch this video to know more.

Modi-Trump bilateral on sidelines of G20 Summit

India-U.S. seek to make breakthrough on trade dispute

PM Modi, Vladimir Putin discuss bilateral issues over phone

<p>China and the Vatican will push to improve bilateral ties after the two sides signed a "provisional" agreement on the appointment of bishops on Saturday, the Chinese foreign ministry said.</p>

<p>"The two sides will continue to maintain communication and push forward the improvement of bilateral relations," the ministry said in a brief statement, which added that the signing took place in Beijing but did not offer any details about the landmark deal.</p>


China and the Vatican will push to improve bilateral ties after the two sides signed a "provisional" agreement on the appointment of bishops on Saturday, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

China and the Vatican will push to improve bilateral ties after the two sides signed a "provisional" agreement on the appointment of bishops on Saturday, the Chinese foreign ministry said. "The two sides will continue to maintain communication and push forward the improvement of bilateral relations," the ministry said in a brief statement, which added that the signing took place in Beijing but did not offer any details about the landmark deal.

China says to push to improve Vatican ties after bishop deal

<p>&nbsp;India&nbsp;and&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;held the 17th round of Foreign Office Consultations in the national capital on&nbsp;Thursday, which saw the discussion on the entire gamut of the bilateral&nbsp;relationship&nbsp;between the two&nbsp;countries.</p>

<p>"During the discussions, the two sides reviewed the complete range of bilateral relations, including high-level visits, security and&nbsp;defence&nbsp;related issues, boundary matters and border management, trade and commerce, development cooperation, connectivity, cultural and&nbsp;consular&nbsp;matters. They also exchanged views on sub-regional, regional and global issues of mutual interest," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;Indian side was led by Foreign Secretary&nbsp;Vijay Gokhale&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;side by Permanent Secretary,&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;Ministry of&nbsp;Foreign Affairs&nbsp;U Myint Thu.</p>

<p>According to the MEA, during his stay in&nbsp;India, the&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;Permanent Secretary will also visit places of historical and cultural significance in the capital.</p>

<p>This comes barely a month after External Affairs Minister&nbsp;Sushma Swaraj's two-day visit to&nbsp;Myanmar, during which she met the country's president U Win Myint and State Counsellor&nbsp;Aung San Suu Kyi.</p>


India and Myanmar held the 17th round of Foreign Office Consultations in the national capital on Thursday, which saw the discussion on the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship between the two countries

India and Myanmar held the 17th round of Foreign Office Consultations in the national capital on Thursday, which saw the discussion on the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship between the two countries. "During the discussions, the two sides reviewed the complete range of bilateral relations, including high-level visits, security and defence related issues, boundary matters and border management, trade and commerce, development cooperation, connectivity, cultural and consular matters. They also exchanged views on sub-regional, regional and global issues of mutual interest," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The Indian side was led by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and the Myanmar side by Permanent Secretary, Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs U Myint Thu. According to the MEA, during his stay in India, the Myanmar Permanent Secretary will also visit places of historical and cultural significance in the capital. This comes barely a month after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's two-day visit to Myanmar, during which she met the country's president U Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

India, Myanmar discuss bilateral ties

<p>Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj today met Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Swaraj arrived in Myanmar yesterday on a two-day visit where she aims to discuss key bilateral and regional issues, including the Rohingya refugee crisis.</p>

<p>Shortly after reaching Myanmar yesterday, Sushma Swaraj called on Myanmar President U Win Myint.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Neighbourhood First! EAM @SushmaSwaraj met the State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi on the 2nd day of her visit to Myanmar. Discussion focused on strengthening our bilateral relations across different sectors," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Neighbourhood First! EAM <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SushmaSwaraj</a> met the State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi on the 2nd day of her visit to Myanmar. Discussion focused on strengthening our bilateral relations across different sectors. <a href="https://t.co/p2u9ho2lla">pic.twitter.com/p2u9ho2lla</a></p>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/994850338585890816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to reports, Swaraj also met General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar armed forces.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


According to reports, Swaraj also met General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar armed forces

Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj today met Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Swaraj arrived in Myanmar yesterday on a two-day visit where she aims to discuss key bilateral and regional issues, including the Rohingya refugee crisis. Shortly after reaching Myanmar yesterday, Sushma Swaraj called on Myanmar President U Win Myint. "Neighbourhood First! EAM @SushmaSwaraj met the State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi on the 2nd day of her visit to Myanmar. Discussion focused on strengthening our bilateral relations across different sectors," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Neighbourhood First! EAM @SushmaSwaraj met the State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi on the 2nd day of her visit to Myanmar. Discussion focused on strengthening our bilateral relations across different sectors. pic.twitter.com/p2u9ho2lla — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) May 11, 2018 × According to reports, Swaraj also met General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar armed forces. (With inputs from PTI)

Sushma Swaraj meets Myanmar State Counsellor Suu Kyi, discusses Rohingya crisis, bilateral ties

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Sweden and England from April 16 to April 20. The Prime Minister is expected to reach Stockholm, Sweden on April 16.</p>

<p>Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Sweden in the last three decades after former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi visited&nbsp;the country in 1988.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ahead of PM Modi's visit to the European nation, we take a quick look at India-Sweden ties that go back to the year 1949 when both countries established formal diplomatic relations.</p>

<p>A diplomatic mission in Stockholm was established by India in the year 1949 which was later raised to the status of an embassy. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the country in 1957.</p>

<p>The bilateral ties between India and Sweden went smoothly until the Bofors scandal damaged relations in 1987. The scandal resulted in Congress' defeat in the general elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>By the turn&nbsp;of the century, India-Sweden ties were on the mend. Both the countries expressed commitment and eagerness to promote their economic and cultural relations.</p>

<p>PM Modi's meeting with his Swedish counterpart is likely to translate into better and fruitful ties between both nations. Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Löfven previously declared his support for India's candidature as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.</p>

<p>Currently, bilateral trade between India and Sweden stands at over US$2 billion. And India is, among Asian countries, Sweden's third-largest trade partner.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On his upcoming visit to Sweden, PM Modi will hold a bilateral summit with his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven on April 17 to discuss regional and global issues at length.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India and Sweden will also co-host the first ever India-Nordic Summit on April 17. The event will see prime ministers from four Nordic countries — Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway — in attendance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An India-Sweden Innovation Partnership is also expected to be launched.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Interestingly, traces of a relationship between the two countries date back to the 8th century.</p>

<p>In 1954, a small bronze Buddha statuette, believed to have been made in present-day Kashmir around the 5th century, was discovered during excavations on an 8th-century Viking ship.</p>

<p>That statuette now rests at the Swedish History Museum.</p>


Bilateral trade between India and Sweden stands at over US$2 billion today. And India is, among Asian countries, Sweden's third-largest trade partner.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Sweden and England from April 16 to April 20. The Prime Minister is expected to reach Stockholm, Sweden on April 16. Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Sweden in the last three decades after former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi visited the country in 1988. Ahead of PM Modi's visit to the European nation, we take a quick look at India-Sweden ties that go back to the year 1949 when both countries established formal diplomatic relations. A diplomatic mission in Stockholm was established by India in the year 1949 which was later raised to the status of an embassy. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the country in 1957. The bilateral ties between India and Sweden went smoothly until the Bofors scandal damaged relations in 1987. The scandal resulted in Congress' defeat in the general elections. By the turn of the century, India-Sweden ties were on the mend. Both the countries expressed commitment and eagerness to promote their economic and cultural relations. PM Modi's meeting with his Swedish counterpart is likely to translate into better and fruitful ties between both nations. Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Löfven previously declared his support for India's candidature as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Currently, bilateral trade between India and Sweden stands at over US$2 billion. And India is, among Asian countries, Sweden's third-largest trade partner. On his upcoming visit to Sweden, PM Modi will hold a bilateral summit with his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven on April 17 to discuss regional and global issues at length. India and Sweden will also co-host the first ever India-Nordic Summit on April 17. The event will see prime ministers from four Nordic countries — Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway — in attendance. An India-Sweden Innovation Partnership is also expected to be launched. Interestingly, traces of a relationship between the two countries date back to the 8th century. In 1954, a small bronze Buddha statuette, believed to have been made in present-day Kashmir around the 5th century, was discovered during excavations on an 8th-century Viking ship. That statuette now rests at the Swedish History Museum.

Ties that go back to the 8th century: A look at India-Sweden relations

<p>In a reaffirmation of their bilateral ties, India and Nepal yesterday inked eight agreements on issues that ranged from countering drug trafficking in the region, assistance from the Indian side in the post-earthquake reconstruction activities&nbsp;to flood management, irrigation projects, as well as enhanced cooperation in the development of infrastructure in Nepal. In addition to the agreements made under the MoUs, the two sides also laid great emphasis on bolstering defence ties and enhancing mutual assistance in the domain of security, with Nepal reassuring India that it wouldn&rsquo;t allow anti-India activities from its territory. It is also noteworthy that the two sides discussed issues relating to regional and subregional cooperation under the ambit of BIMSTEC and BBIN initiatives: two flagship multilateral projects initiated by India.&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>The announcement of bilateral agreements between India and China comes at a time when India is facing a sharp recession of influence in its immediate neighbourhood.</h5>
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<p>The visit of the Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, and the subsequent announcement of bilateral agreements between the two countries comes at a time when India is facing a sharp recession of influence in its immediate neighbourhood. While&nbsp;the diminishing influence is an outcome of India&rsquo;s own hegemonic tendencies in South Asia, the situation has been exacerbated by the growth of Chinese dominance in the region. With the announcement of its flagship Border and Road Initiative (BRI), China has been able to successfully use its economic clout to gain a strategic foothold in India&rsquo;s immediate neighbourhood. So much so that in trying to find a middle ground between the two countries, and to balance the threat emanating from two overtly powerful neighbours, most of India&rsquo;s neighbours appear to have drifted too close to the Chinese side.</p>

<p>For the smaller nations, India appears to be a far greater geopolitical threat than China does. The prevailing mistrust between India and its neighbours stem from the unresolved territorial disputes, a legacy of the colonial era, but their resolution has found little political will on the Indian side. The resolution process, instead, has only witnessed incremental changes, something that has worked to dent India&rsquo;s credibility in its neighbourhood. Besides, India&rsquo;s continued meddling in the domestic affairs of smaller countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh has generated concerns over the issue of political sovereignty in these countries.</p>

<p>The drift to the Chinese side made itself evident on two occasions; when India was isolated on its stand against the BRI as well as on the current impasse at the Doklam tri-junction. The country has found very little support forthcoming from its immediate neighbours on critical issues relating to its territorial sovereignty and integrity. The most telling of these was Nepal&rsquo;s decision to take part in the OBOR, despite India&rsquo;s misgivings, as well as its decision to not take any sides in the current standoff.</p>

<p>China has made substantial inroads into Nepal, with the country only very recently gaining the status of the highest FDI contributor, accounting for over 60 per cent of the total FDI commitment in the country. Besides, it has also undertaken some very important infrastructure related development initiatives and is looking to flood the Nepalese markets with Chinese products, outclassing and outsmarting India&rsquo;s investments in the country.&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>For the smaller nations, India appears to be a far greater geopolitical threat than China does.</h5>
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<p>The bilateral relations between India and Nepal, on the other hand, have been plagued with a deep mistrust, with the Nepalese side accusing India of micro-meddling in its political affairs. India&rsquo;s increased interference in the political situation of Nepal and its staunch support to the Madhesis has created a scenario, wherein the chaos in Nepal&rsquo;s domestic policy has had a very negative impact on its ties with India.</p>

<p>India&rsquo;s reluctant acknowledgement of Nepal&rsquo;s new constitution and its failure to reign in the Madhesi parties to help streamline the process of political transformation in Nepal post-2006 stems from the country&rsquo;s domestic imperatives. Owing to the cultural proximity of Nepali Madhesis and natives of UP and Bihar, a lot of India&rsquo;s policies towards Nepal have been guided by the concerns emanating from its bordering states.</p>

<p>The 2015 economic blockade imposed on Nepal to coerce it into accepting the Madhesi demands boomeranged in India&rsquo;s face when the then PM KP Oli decided to look for an alternative and reduce its strategic dependence on India. This was the precise moment when China was allowed a foot-in-the-door in Nepal&rsquo;s polity and the support to its beleaguered neighbour is what constituted a watershed moment in the evolution of India-Nepal ties.</p>

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<h5>India cannot pick a fight for sovereignty related concerns with China while meting out the exact same treatment to its neighbours in South Asia.</h5>
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<p>Significantly, the recently announced bilateral agreements between the two nations which have conspicuously left out any offer of assistance in constitutional reforms or political transformation signal how India might have actually picked up a few foreign policy lessons along the way. PM Modi&rsquo;s expression of confidence in the ability of Nepalese leaders to implement the constitution in its true spirit is also indicative of a change in tactic by India, which will do best to step further away from Nepal&rsquo;s domestic politics. Any meddling in its internal policy will push Nepal further into the ambit of Chinese sphere of influence.</p>

<p>PM Deuba&rsquo;s visit provides India with an opportunity to recalibrate its approach towards its smaller neighbours; this would include an expression of confidence in their political leadership, respecting their political sovereignty and an increased assurance of economic and political support in case of any eventuality. India cannot pick a fight for sovereignty related concerns with China while meting out the exact same treatment to its neighbours in South Asia. The incrementalism in its bilateral ties with its immediate neighbours must be replaced with recalibrate-and-reboot strategy. Specifically, to ally Nepal&rsquo;s concerns, India must come up with a more consistent Nepal policy, along with the lines of greater people to people contact, enhanced economic assistance and keeping its domestic politics at an arms&#39; length.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As structural outcomes of its economic rise, China is bound to exercise a more muscular policy in its neighbourhood, something that made itself evident in the Doklam standoff. However, to win this battle over narratives in South Asia, India will have to correct its historical faux pas and take on the role of a more benevolent hegemon.</p>


The bilateral agreements between India and Nepal suggest that India doesn't want to repeat the mistake of meddling in the domestic affairs of its neighbours.

In a reaffirmation of their bilateral ties, India and Nepal yesterday inked eight agreements on issues that ranged from countering drug trafficking in the region, assistance from the Indian side in the post-earthquake reconstruction activities to flood management, irrigation projects, as well as enhanced cooperation in the development of infrastructure in Nepal. In addition to the agreements made under the MoUs, the two sides also laid great emphasis on bolstering defence ties and enhancing mutual assistance in the domain of security, with Nepal reassuring India that it wouldn’t allow anti-India activities from its territory. It is also noteworthy that the two sides discussed issues relating to regional and subregional cooperation under the ambit of BIMSTEC and BBIN initiatives: two flagship multilateral projects initiated by India. The announcement of bilateral agreements between India and China comes at a time when India is facing a sharp recession of influence in its immediate neighbourhood. × The visit of the Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, and the subsequent announcement of bilateral agreements between the two countries comes at a time when India is facing a sharp recession of influence in its immediate neighbourhood. While the diminishing influence is an outcome of India’s own hegemonic tendencies in South Asia, the situation has been exacerbated by the growth of Chinese dominance in the region. With the announcement of its flagship Border and Road Initiative (BRI), China has been able to successfully use its economic clout to gain a strategic foothold in India’s immediate neighbourhood. So much so that in trying to find a middle ground between the two countries, and to balance the threat emanating from two overtly powerful neighbours, most of India’s neighbours appear to have drifted too close to the Chinese side. For the smaller nations, India appears to be a far greater geopolitical threat than China does. The prevailing mistrust between India and its neighbours stem from the unresolved territorial disputes, a legacy of the colonial era, but their resolution has found little political will on the Indian side. The resolution process, instead, has only witnessed incremental changes, something that has worked to dent India’s credibility in its neighbourhood. Besides, India’s continued meddling in the domestic affairs of smaller countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh has generated concerns over the issue of political sovereignty in these countries. The drift to the Chinese side made itself evident on two occasions; when India was isolated on its stand against the BRI as well as on the current impasse at the Doklam tri-junction. The country has found very little support forthcoming from its immediate neighbours on critical issues relating to its territorial sovereignty and integrity. The most telling of these was Nepal’s decision to take part in the OBOR, despite India’s misgivings, as well as its decision to not take any sides in the current standoff. China has made substantial inroads into Nepal, with the country only very recently gaining the status of the highest FDI contributor, accounting for over 60 per cent of the total FDI commitment in the country. Besides, it has also undertaken some very important infrastructure related development initiatives and is looking to flood the Nepalese markets with Chinese products, outclassing and outsmarting India’s investments in the country. For the smaller nations, India appears to be a far greater geopolitical threat than China does. × The bilateral relations between India and Nepal, on the other hand, have been plagued with a deep mistrust, with the Nepalese side accusing India of micro-meddling in its political affairs. India’s increased interference in the political situation of Nepal and its staunch support to the Madhesis has created a scenario, wherein the chaos in Nepal’s domestic policy has had a very negative impact on its ties with India. India’s reluctant acknowledgement of Nepal’s new constitution and its failure to reign in the Madhesi parties to help streamline the process of political transformation in Nepal post-2006 stems from the country’s domestic imperatives. Owing to the cultural proximity of Nepali Madhesis and natives of UP and Bihar, a lot of India’s policies towards Nepal have been guided by the concerns emanating from its bordering states. The 2015 economic blockade imposed on Nepal to coerce it into accepting the Madhesi demands boomeranged in India’s face when the then PM KP Oli decided to look for an alternative and reduce its strategic dependence on India. This was the precise moment when China was allowed a foot-in-the-door in Nepal’s polity and the support to its beleaguered neighbour is what constituted a watershed moment in the evolution of India-Nepal ties. India cannot pick a fight for sovereignty related concerns with China while meting out the exact same treatment to its neighbours in South Asia. × Significantly, the recently announced bilateral agreements between the two nations which have conspicuously left out any offer of assistance in constitutional reforms or political transformation signal how India might have actually picked up a few foreign policy lessons along the way. PM Modi’s expression of confidence in the ability of Nepalese leaders to implement the constitution in its true spirit is also indicative of a change in tactic by India, which will do best to step further away from Nepal’s domestic politics. Any meddling in its internal policy will push Nepal further into the ambit of Chinese sphere of influence. PM Deuba’s visit provides India with an opportunity to recalibrate its approach towards its smaller neighbours; this would include an expression of confidence in their political leadership, respecting their political sovereignty and an increased assurance of economic and political support in case of any eventuality. India cannot pick a fight for sovereignty related concerns with China while meting out the exact same treatment to its neighbours in South Asia. The incrementalism in its bilateral ties with its immediate neighbours must be replaced with recalibrate-and-reboot strategy. Specifically, to ally Nepal’s concerns, India must come up with a more consistent Nepal policy, along with the lines of greater people to people contact, enhanced economic assistance and keeping its domestic politics at an arms' length. As structural outcomes of its economic rise, China is bound to exercise a more muscular policy in its neighbourhood, something that made itself evident in the Doklam standoff. However, to win this battle over narratives in South Asia, India will have to correct its historical faux pas and take on the role of a more benevolent hegemon.

Is India's big brother attitude bringing Nepal closer to China?

Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw is set to visit India following an invitation&nbsp;from Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, according to an official&nbsp;announcement.<br />
<br />
&quot;U Htin Kyaw, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and wife&nbsp;Daw Su Su Lwin will pay a State Visit to the Republic of India in the near&nbsp;future at the invitation of His Excellency Mr Pranab Mukherjee, President of&nbsp;the Republic of India,&quot; the official statement said.<br />
<br />
India&#39;s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj too paid a one-day visit to&nbsp;the country to hold talks with Myanmarese leaders on key bilateral issues&nbsp;during where it was assured that Myanmar will not allow any anti-India&nbsp;activites in its territory.<br />
<br />
This was the first high-level visit from India after a civilian government&nbsp;assumed office in Myanmar. Swaraj here conveyed India&#39;s commitment of &quot;all&nbsp;help&quot; to the new government.<br />
<br />
(WION with inputs from agencies)

India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj too recently paid a one-day visit to?the country

Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw is set to visit India following an invitation from Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, according to an official announcement. "U Htin Kyaw, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and wife Daw Su Su Lwin will pay a State Visit to the Republic of India in the near future at the invitation of His Excellency Mr Pranab Mukherjee, President of the Republic of India," the official statement said. India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj too paid a one-day visit to the country to hold talks with Myanmarese leaders on key bilateral issues during where it was assured that Myanmar will not allow any anti-India activites in its territory. This was the first high-level visit from India after a civilian government assumed office in Myanmar. Swaraj here conveyed India's commitment of "all help" to the new government. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw to visit India

China is ready to build a closer partnership with India, and enhance pragmatic cooperation in all fields, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj during their meeting in New Delhi on Saturday.<br />
<br />
Wang positively reviewed the development of China-India ties, which he said have been making remarkable and comprehensive headway in recent years thanks to joint efforts by both sides.<br />
<br />
The leaders of the two countries have maintained close exchanges in visits and communication, the dialogue mechanism between the two governments has been ever increasing and perfecting, the complementariness of the two economies has been further tapped, and a win-win cooperation pattern is taking shape, Wang noted.<br />
<br />
The two peoples have enhanced understanding and friendship through more trade and cultural exchanges, and communication, he added.<br />
<br />
The two sides have strengthened strategic dialogue on major international issues such as climate change and global action and safeguarded the common interests of emerging markets and developing countries.<br />
<br />
China and India are strategic partners, and China is ready to work with India to master the general course for the development of ties, build a closer development partnership, and expand their all-around pragmatic cooperation, Wang said.<br />
<br />
China will strengthen communication and coordination with India to render both the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) summit in China&#39;s Hangzhou and BRICS summit in the Indian state of Goa successful, and thus elevate the status and role of emerging economies in the world arena, Wang said.<br />
<br />
The two sides will enhance cooperation in fields such as railway and industrial park construction, security, anti-terrorism and anti-extremism, expand communication and exchanges in education and tourism, facilitate more exchanges among regional governments of both countries, and jointly safeguard their common interests as well as those of all developing countries, Wang said.<br />
<br />
Wang said that the two countries have more common interests than differences, more needs for cooperation than competition while expressing confidence that the two sides can hold onto the general direction of ties, and refrain from allowing difference over single issues to confuse the general cooperation.<br />
<br />
Swaraj said that India has good prospects in the development of India-China relations, and has taken a series of measures to encourage Chinese investors and promote bilateral engagement, so as to foster the further development of ties.<br />
<br />
The two sides have good coordination on regional and international issues, she said, adding that India attaches great importance to relations with China, and is ready to strengthen the ties in various fields, increase humanitarian exchanges, and appropriately handle existing problems with patience to inject new vitality into the bilateral ties.<br />
<br />
The two diplomats also exchanged views on specific issues on bilateral ties, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern, such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the Brexit.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)

The two sides are set to enhance cooperation in a number of fields of common interests

China is ready to build a closer partnership with India, and enhance pragmatic cooperation in all fields, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj during their meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. Wang positively reviewed the development of China-India ties, which he said have been making remarkable and comprehensive headway in recent years thanks to joint efforts by both sides. The leaders of the two countries have maintained close exchanges in visits and communication, the dialogue mechanism between the two governments has been ever increasing and perfecting, the complementariness of the two economies has been further tapped, and a win-win cooperation pattern is taking shape, Wang noted. The two peoples have enhanced understanding and friendship through more trade and cultural exchanges, and communication, he added. The two sides have strengthened strategic dialogue on major international issues such as climate change and global action and safeguarded the common interests of emerging markets and developing countries. China and India are strategic partners, and China is ready to work with India to master the general course for the development of ties, build a closer development partnership, and expand their all-around pragmatic cooperation, Wang said. China will strengthen communication and coordination with India to render both the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) summit in China's Hangzhou and BRICS summit in the Indian state of Goa successful, and thus elevate the status and role of emerging economies in the world arena, Wang said. The two sides will enhance cooperation in fields such as railway and industrial park construction, security, anti-terrorism and anti-extremism, expand communication and exchanges in education and tourism, facilitate more exchanges among regional governments of both countries, and jointly safeguard their common interests as well as those of all developing countries, Wang said. Wang said that the two countries have more common interests than differences, more needs for cooperation than competition while expressing confidence that the two sides can hold onto the general direction of ties, and refrain from allowing difference over single issues to confuse the general cooperation. Swaraj said that India has good prospects in the development of India-China relations, and has taken a series of measures to encourage Chinese investors and promote bilateral engagement, so as to foster the further development of ties. The two sides have good coordination on regional and international issues, she said, adding that India attaches great importance to relations with China, and is ready to strengthen the ties in various fields, increase humanitarian exchanges, and appropriately handle existing problems with patience to inject new vitality into the bilateral ties. The two diplomats also exchanged views on specific issues on bilateral ties, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern, such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the Brexit. (Reuters)

China-India ties making remarkable progress: Chinese Foreign Minister

India should avoid &quot;unnecessary entanglement&quot; in the South China Sea dispute during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi&#39;s visit to New Delhi to prevent it becoming yet &quot;another factor&quot; to impact bilateral ties, a state-run Chinese daily said on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
&quot;India may want to avoid unnecessary entanglement with China over the South China Sea debate during Wang&#39;s visit if the country wishes to create a good atmosphere for economic cooperation, which would include reducing tariffs on made-in-India products exported to China amid the ongoing free trade talk known as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership,&quot; an article in the state-run <em>Global Times</em> said.<br />
<br />
&quot;India is expected to allow only moderate tariff reduction on made-in-China products under the talks in a bid to preserve its domestic industries. If India wants China to be more generous in terms of tariff reduction, it would be unwise for the country to let its&nbsp;<br />
relationship with China deteriorate further at this moment,&quot; it said. The daily said that India&#39;s focus on the South China Sea issue at this moment was puzzling as the move it said might risk &quot;unnecessary side effects&quot; to bilateral ties and potentially create obstacles for Indian exporters hoping to increase their presence in China, the world&#39;s second largest importer.<br />
<br />
Underlining that tensions between China and India have been increasing in recent months owing to a series of political incidents, it said, &quot;Considering that India does not face territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea, is it worth letting the South China Sea issue become another factor that will impact India&#39;s cooperation with China? India should consider this.&quot; Amid unease in ties, Wang will arrive in India to hold talks with his counterpart Sushma Swaraj on August 13 during which key regional and bilateral issues will be discussed, including the NSG issue.<br />
<br />
His visit comes ahead of the G20 Summit scheduled to be held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou next month in which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to take part.<br />
<br />
Following the ruling by an international tribunal last month which rejected Beijing&#39;s claims over much of the disputed sea area, China is campaigning against the issue to be raised in G20 Summit saying it is a matter to be resolved between parties concerned and outsider has no role.<br />
<br />
&quot;In fairness, after dozens of countries have expressed support for China&#39;s stance in the South China Sea, India&#39;s attitude toward the issue may not be as important as the nation had imagined,&quot; the article said.<br />
<br />
&quot;While many Indian people have been focused on the South China Sea ahead of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi&#39;s upcoming trip to the country, less attention has been paid to the recent fall in exports of made-in-India products to China,&quot; it said.<br />
<br />
It said India should move its focus from geopolitical competition to economic issues to stop a further decline in exports to China. &quot;Under normal circumstances, defusing the tensions between the two counties will help lay a sound foundation for fostering closer&nbsp;<br />
economic ties. In this regard, Wang Yi&#39;s trip will offer concrete opportunities for India,&quot; the daily said.<br />
<br />
&quot;India&#39;s exports to China have dropped 16.7 per cent year-on-year in the first seven months of the year, Chinese customs data showed on Monday, suggesting that a large number of Indian enterprises are having a hard time exploring the Chinese market amid simmering tensions between the two countries. Regretfully, due attention has not been paid to the living conditions of those Indian firms,&quot; it said.<br />
<br />
India-China bilateral trade which totalled around $70 billion last year tilted heavily in favour of Beijing with over $46 billion trade deficit.<br />
<br />
Wang&#39;s visit will be the first high-level visit between the two countries after China stalled India&#39;s Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership bid at the Plenary meeting of the 48-nation grouping in June on the grounds that it was a non-NPT signatory.<br />
<br />
Wang&#39;s visit also comes just days after Chinese troops &quot;transgressed&quot; the border on land and by air in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand last month.<br />
<br />
Wang will also be visiting Goa, where India is due to host BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit in October.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, another article in the same daily accused India of blocking BRICS initiative to liberalize visa regime for member countries and said getting business visa to India has become a &quot;pain in the butt&quot;.<br />
<br />
&quot;Given its unusual sensitivity, the Indian authorities&#39; visa policies toward Chinese personnel often reflect the latest twists and turns in the Sino-Indian relations,&quot; it said.<br />
<br />
It alleged that &quot;in the aftermath of India&#39;s failed bid to join the NSG, which New Delhi blamed Beijing as the culprit behind the scenes of their non-admittance, the Indian authorities first refused to renew the visas of three Chinese journalists from Xinhua, then blocked a visa waiver programme for BRICS nationals for security reason.&quot;<br />
<br />
&quot;Although news about India&#39;s latest reform on GST galvanised waves of optimism among business communities across China, for Chinese nationals, a business visa to India remains a pain in the butt,&quot; it said.<br />
<br />
The article said that although boundary disputes, NSG membership and other &quot;historical episodes&quot; are unlikely to be solved in the short run, it is in both countries&#39; interests to &quot;look beyond and explore the new possibilities&quot;.<br />
<br />
(PTI)

The newspaper report says India should shift its focus from geopolitical competition to economic issues

India should avoid "unnecessary entanglement" in the South China Sea dispute during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to New Delhi to prevent it becoming yet "another factor" to impact bilateral ties, a state-run Chinese daily said on Tuesday. "India may want to avoid unnecessary entanglement with China over the South China Sea debate during Wang's visit if the country wishes to create a good atmosphere for economic cooperation, which would include reducing tariffs on made-in-India products exported to China amid the ongoing free trade talk known as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership," an article in the state-run Global Times said. "India is expected to allow only moderate tariff reduction on made-in-China products under the talks in a bid to preserve its domestic industries. If India wants China to be more generous in terms of tariff reduction, it would be unwise for the country to let its relationship with China deteriorate further at this moment," it said. The daily said that India's focus on the South China Sea issue at this moment was puzzling as the move it said might risk "unnecessary side effects" to bilateral ties and potentially create obstacles for Indian exporters hoping to increase their presence in China, the world's second largest importer. Underlining that tensions between China and India have been increasing in recent months owing to a series of political incidents, it said, "Considering that India does not face territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea, is it worth letting the South China Sea issue become another factor that will impact India's cooperation with China? India should consider this." Amid unease in ties, Wang will arrive in India to hold talks with his counterpart Sushma Swaraj on August 13 during which key regional and bilateral issues will be discussed, including the NSG issue. His visit comes ahead of the G20 Summit scheduled to be held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou next month in which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to take part. Following the ruling by an international tribunal last month which rejected Beijing's claims over much of the disputed sea area, China is campaigning against the issue to be raised in G20 Summit saying it is a matter to be resolved between parties concerned and outsider has no role. "In fairness, after dozens of countries have expressed support for China's stance in the South China Sea, India's attitude toward the issue may not be as important as the nation had imagined," the article said. "While many Indian people have been focused on the South China Sea ahead of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's upcoming trip to the country, less attention has been paid to the recent fall in exports of made-in-India products to China," it said. It said India should move its focus from geopolitical competition to economic issues to stop a further decline in exports to China. "Under normal circumstances, defusing the tensions between the two counties will help lay a sound foundation for fostering closer economic ties. In this regard, Wang Yi's trip will offer concrete opportunities for India," the daily said. "India's exports to China have dropped 16.7 per cent year-on-year in the first seven months of the year, Chinese customs data showed on Monday, suggesting that a large number of Indian enterprises are having a hard time exploring the Chinese market amid simmering tensions between the two countries. Regretfully, due attention has not been paid to the living conditions of those Indian firms," it said. India-China bilateral trade which totalled around $70 billion last year tilted heavily in favour of Beijing with over $46 billion trade deficit. Wang's visit will be the first high-level visit between the two countries after China stalled India's Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership bid at the Plenary meeting of the 48-nation grouping in June on the grounds that it was a non-NPT signatory. Wang's visit also comes just days after Chinese troops "transgressed" the border on land and by air in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand last month. Wang will also be visiting Goa, where India is due to host BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit in October. Meanwhile, another article in the same daily accused India of blocking BRICS initiative to liberalize visa regime for member countries and said getting business visa to India has become a "pain in the butt". "Given its unusual sensitivity, the Indian authorities' visa policies toward Chinese personnel often reflect the latest twists and turns in the Sino-Indian relations," it said. It alleged that "in the aftermath of India's failed bid to join the NSG, which New Delhi blamed Beijing as the culprit behind the scenes of their non-admittance, the Indian authorities first refused to renew the visas of three Chinese journalists from Xinhua, then blocked a visa waiver programme for BRICS nationals for security reason." "Although news about India's latest reform on GST galvanised waves of optimism among business communities across China, for Chinese nationals, a business visa to India remains a pain in the butt," it said. The article said that although boundary disputes, NSG membership and other "historical episodes" are unlikely to be solved in the short run, it is in both countries' interests to "look beyond and explore the new possibilities". (PTI)

India must avoid focus on South China sea: Chinese daily

India&#39;s bilateral investment pacts happen to be &quot;restrictive&quot; while China is emerging as a major force when it comes to overseas investments, National Institution for Transforming India or NITI&nbsp;Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya said.<br />
<br />
&quot;China is now emerging as a provider of outward investment. It is looking out to set rules for outward investment...Our own bilateral investment treaty happens to be rather restrictive,&quot; Panagariya said addressing the International G20 Conference organised by ICRIER here.<br />
<br />
According to Chinese government data, in January-April 2016, the Chinese investors made direct investment overseas in 3,434 enterprises of 150 countries and regions.<br />
<br />
The direct investment overseas amounted to RMB 391.45 billion (equivalent to $60.08 billion, up 71.8 per cent year on year).<br />
<br />
Last month, the deputy assistant to the US President and deputy national security advisor for International Economics Adewale (Wally) Adeyemo had blamed India for not being ambitious enough to conclude the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT).<br />
<br />
&quot;To be frank, we are far apart on number of issues with regard to trade and investment with India. We feel our colleagues in India have not been as ambitious (on concluding BIT) as we want them to be but we remain open,&quot; Adeyemo had said here at a session on India-US Economic Relations.<br />
<br />
In December last year, the cabinet had approved the revised model text for the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with a view to enhancing protection of foreign investors in India as well as Indian investments abroad, but taxation matters will remain out of its ambit.<br />
<br />
<strong>Array of issues to be discussed in G20 meet&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Elaborating more about the issues to be discussed in the forthcoming G20 meet scheduled next month in China, Panagariya said that there are five sessions expected to be held at leaders level.<br />
<br />
The first session will be on growth agenda and Chinese presidency has added investment as a new dimension to it, he noted.<br />
<br />
Besides, he said, the other issues that would figure in the meet are climate change and climate financing, refugee crisis and terrorism financing.<br />
<br />
Panagariya said the issues pertaining to the jobs market as well as those related to agriculture development will also be discussed at the meet.<br />
<br />
(PTI)

At the same time, he added, China is emerging as a major force when it comes to overseas investments

India's bilateral investment pacts happen to be "restrictive" while China is emerging as a major force when it comes to overseas investments, National Institution for Transforming India or NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya said. "China is now emerging as a provider of outward investment. It is looking out to set rules for outward investment...Our own bilateral investment treaty happens to be rather restrictive," Panagariya said addressing the International G20 Conference organised by ICRIER here. According to Chinese government data, in January-April 2016, the Chinese investors made direct investment overseas in 3,434 enterprises of 150 countries and regions. The direct investment overseas amounted to RMB 391.45 billion (equivalent to $60.08 billion, up 71.8 per cent year on year). Last month, the deputy assistant to the US President and deputy national security advisor for International Economics Adewale (Wally) Adeyemo had blamed India for not being ambitious enough to conclude the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). "To be frank, we are far apart on number of issues with regard to trade and investment with India. We feel our colleagues in India have not been as ambitious (on concluding BIT) as we want them to be but we remain open," Adeyemo had said here at a session on India-US Economic Relations. In December last year, the cabinet had approved the revised model text for the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with a view to enhancing protection of foreign investors in India as well as Indian investments abroad, but taxation matters will remain out of its ambit. Array of issues to be discussed in G20 meet Elaborating more about the issues to be discussed in the forthcoming G20 meet scheduled next month in China, Panagariya said that there are five sessions expected to be held at leaders level. The first session will be on growth agenda and Chinese presidency has added investment as a new dimension to it, he noted. Besides, he said, the other issues that would figure in the meet are climate change and climate financing, refugee crisis and terrorism financing. Panagariya said the issues pertaining to the jobs market as well as those related to agriculture development will also be discussed at the meet. (PTI)

India's bilateral investment pacts restrictive, says NITI Aayog vice-chairman

<p>China and Poland have agreed on Monday to upgrade their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Chinese President Xi Jinping&#39;s&nbsp;visit to the country.</p>

<p>The move was made as Xi met with Polish President Andrzej Duda, in a bid to further promote cooperation across the board and benefit the two peoples.</p>

<p>Xi said at the meeting that the two peoples have enjoyed lasting friendship since the two countries established diplomatic relations 67 years ago.</p>

<p>The two countries have borne fruitful results in high-level and people-to-people exchanges, and economic and trade cooperation, especially since they established a strategic partnership in 2011, said Xi.</p>

<p>He added that China has cherished the traditional friendship with Poland and stands ready to work with Poland to push forward the bilateral relations in a sound and steady way.</p>

<p>Xi also called for efforts to enhance mutual trust, align development strategies of the two countries and boost interconnectivity and production cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative.</p>

<p>Bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, finance, agriculture, science and technology should be promoted, according to Xi.</p>

<p>Hailing the bilateral ties, Duda said that Poland is willing to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Sino-Polish comprehensive strategic partnership in various areas including the Belt and Road initiative, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and people-to-people exchanges.</p>

<p>A joint statement on the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership was inked after the meeting, as well as a memorandum of understanding on a bilateral cooperation blueprint.</p>

<p>Poland is the second leg of Xi&#39;s Eurasia tour. Before visiting Poland, Xi visited Serbia from June 17 to June 19.</p>

<p>After visiting Poland, Xi will travel to Uzbekistan for a state visit and attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)</p>


A bunch of cooperation agreements signed covering various aspects, including infrastructure construction, education, culture and aerospace

China and Poland have agreed on Monday to upgrade their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the country. The move was made as Xi met with Polish President Andrzej Duda, in a bid to further promote cooperation across the board and benefit the two peoples. Xi said at the meeting that the two peoples have enjoyed lasting friendship since the two countries established diplomatic relations 67 years ago. The two countries have borne fruitful results in high-level and people-to-people exchanges, and economic and trade cooperation, especially since they established a strategic partnership in 2011, said Xi. He added that China has cherished the traditional friendship with Poland and stands ready to work with Poland to push forward the bilateral relations in a sound and steady way. Xi also called for efforts to enhance mutual trust, align development strategies of the two countries and boost interconnectivity and production cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative. Bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, finance, agriculture, science and technology should be promoted, according to Xi. Hailing the bilateral ties, Duda said that Poland is willing to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Sino-Polish comprehensive strategic partnership in various areas including the Belt and Road initiative, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and people-to-people exchanges. A joint statement on the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership was inked after the meeting, as well as a memorandum of understanding on a bilateral cooperation blueprint. Poland is the second leg of Xi's Eurasia tour. Before visiting Poland, Xi visited Serbia from June 17 to June 19. After visiting Poland, Xi will travel to Uzbekistan for a state visit and attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. (Reuters)

China, Poland to lift ties to comprehensive strategic partnership

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