India, China should be sensitive to each other's concerns, Vijay Gokhale tells Chinese foreign minister

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Monday held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing and reviewed progress of bilateral ties post Wuhan summit, emphasising that both countries should be sensitive to each or's concerns.

Gokhale's visit for bilateral consultations is taking place amid renewed optimism that vexed issue of listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by UN, which has been stalled by China, is heed for a resolution in coming weeks.

Gokhale met Wang, who is also State Councillor, a high-level post in hierarchy of ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), at sprawling Zhongnanhai complex, seat of power of China as it houses offices and residences of country's top leers.

In his opening remarks, Gokhale said both sides were making efforts to implement understandings reached at last year's informal summit at Wuhan between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"As your excellency said we will work toger with Chinese side to deepen understanding to strengn trust to implement decisions that are taken by leers and to do it in a manner in which we are sensitive to each or's concerns," he said.  

One of issues that was expected to figure during this round of talks was China's continued attempts to block efforts to list JeM chief Azhar as global terrorist by UN.

China blocked Azhar's designation for fourth-time recently stalling efforts by US, UK and France move at 1267 UN counter terrorism committee following February Pulwama terrorist attack. It was first technical hold put up by China post Wuhan summit.

Also, India continues to have strong reservations to join China's mega Belt and Ro Initiative (BRI) due to its objections over China-Pakistan Ecomic Corridor (CPEC) as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Both issues have become major irritants in bilateral ties.

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In order to counter China's technical hold in 1267 committee, US, UK and France have taken Azhar issue to UN Security Council (UNSC), which Beijing firmly opposed, saying that it should be resolved by UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee.

But, Beijing has also in recent days sounded more optimistic about resolution of Azhar issue, saying that matter, which h cast a show on India-China bilateral ties in last few years is heed for a settlement.

Asked wher Azhar issue as well as that of BRI figured in today's talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang told a media briefing here that, As to specific issues   two sides have far more common interests than differences.

two sides should accommodate each or's concerns and vance bilateral relations, he said.

We hope two sides will step up coordination and cooperation to sustain sound momentum in bilateral relations. China is rey and would like to work toger with India to this end, he said.

Besides Wang, Gokhale also met with Vice Minister Kong Xuanyou and held talks with him on progress of relations on various front. On Monday, or Chinese officials will also meet with him, Geng said.

He said during talks, Chinese side expressed that India and China, as two important neighbours, and representatives of emerging markets and strategic partners should enhance strategic coordination and enhance mutual political trust, and maintain close coordination on international issues.

Both sides have far more common interests than issues, we should promote unity and coordination, Geng said.

Since Wuhan Summit, two sides have enjoyed good momentum in bilateral relations, we must sustain that. Indian Foreign Secretary also said that after summit, two sides have h active political interactions and fruitful practical cooperation, he said.

On April 19, Wang at a media interaction said that differences over BRI would t come in way of development of India-China relations and China is preparing for a Wuhan-style summit meeting this year.

He also said CPEC is an ecomic project and has thing to do with sovereignty issues. 

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