Beijing: The military stand-off at Doklam was a “momentary hurdle” inSino-India ties but maintaining status quo in the border areas is essentialfor both countries, India`s Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale has said.
In an interview to the state-run Global Times, the newly appointed envoytouched upon various aspects of bilateral ties and said Beijing needs to be”sensitive” to New Delhi`s concerns over issues like the China-PakistanEconomic Corridor (CPEC).
Bambawale said that post-Doklam, India and China need to talk more and becandid with each other. He stressed both countries were not “rivals.”
“I look at the Doklam stand-off from such a long-term perspective. When youdo so, the Doklam stand-off is just one event in a much longer-termhistory,” the envoy told the English daily, which is run by the CommunistParty of China.
“I believe that you are blowing it out of proportion. The people of Indiaand China and our leaders are experienced enough and wise enough toovercome such momentary hurdles in our relationship,” Bambawale said.
China and India were locked in a worst-in-decades military stand-off atDoklam last year in the Sikkim section of their border.
Indian troops had halted construction of a road by the People`s LiberationArmy at Doka La in Doklam, also claimed by Bhutan. This led to anover-two-month stand-off, which was resolved in August after both armiesretreated from the point of face-off.
However, some news reports say the Chinese have built massiveinfrastructure in the area close to Doka La, which is close to India`sartery linking its northeast with the rest of the country.
“I believe that in the post-Doklam period, India and China need to betalking to each other and conversing with each other much more than in thepast,” the envoy said.
Bambawale said it was “important to talk to each other and not talk pasteach other”.
“We must be sensitive to the other side`s concerns. Our interaction must bebased on equality and mutual benefit. Also, in the India-China borderareas, especially at some sensitive points, it is important not to changethe status quo. We need to be clear about this,” the ambassador said in anapparent reference to Doka La.
He pointed out India`s growing concerns about the CPEC, which cuts throughthe disputed Kashmir.
“The CPEC passes through Indian-claimed territory and hence violates ourterritorial integrity. This is a major problem for us.
“We need to talk about it, not push it under the carpet. I believe, themore we talk to each other, the easier it will become to resolve problems.”
He also talked about the widening trade deficit between both countries.
“There are a few issues about which, we in India, have been focusingattention on. The foremost is the large and growing trade deficit we facewith China.
“In 2017, the deficit for India is likely to be $ 55 billion. India sellspharmaceuticals and IT products all over the world but not in China. Why?For 20 years, we have been asking for the Chinese market to be opened forour pharmaceutical and IT products and services. To no avail. What do wemake of this? What conclusions should we draw? We should discuss suchissues frankly but also take steps to resolve them.”
He said there was a lot in common between India and China and bothcountries have common goals.
“India and China also have common positions on many international andglobal issues. The prime example is that of climate change. We have beenworking together on this subject in the past and under the newinternational circumstances it is especially important that we continue towork together.”