April 28, 2018: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have decided to issue strategic guidance to their respective militaries to strengthen communications and to build trust and understanding.
Briefing reporters at the end of a two-day informal summit between the two leaders in Wuhan, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said Mr Modi and Mr Xi underscored that it is important to maintain peace and tranquillity in all areas of the India-China border region. Mr Gokhale said, the two leaders also decided to issue guidance to their militaries to implement various confidence-building measures which have already been agreed upon by the two sides and to strengthen existing institutional mechanisms to prevent and manage situations in the border areas.
Foreign Secretary said, the two leaders were of the view that the two countries have the maturity and wisdom to handle all differences through peaceful discussions within the context of the overall relationships and bearing in mind, the two sides would respect each other’s sensitivities, concerns and aspirations. Mr Gokhale said, they agreed to strengthen greater strategic communications between the two countries. He said, the two leaders recognised terrorism as common threat and committed to cooperate further on counter-terrorism.
Earlier, Mr Modi and Mr Xi held their last round of one-on-one talks today on the second day of two-day informal summit. The two leaders walked together along the picturesque East Lake. They also had tea after the walk. Mr Modi and Mr Xi then took a boat ride in the East Lake. The two leaders were seen talking to each other in relax mood inside the houseboat.
The two leaders yesterday held extensive talks amid the warmth and bonhomie. They started the summit talks at the Hubei Provincial Museum where Mr Xi took Mr Modi around introducing the historic artefacts. The museum walk scheduled for 20 minutes lasted over 40 minutes after which they began one-on-one talks. Their one-on-one talks were followed by delegation-level interaction with six top officials each from both sides took part.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Indian Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale were present in the meeting.The delegation talks, which apparently focussed on some of the most contentious issues, lasted for over two hours overshooting scheduled half an hour. Later Mr Xi hosted a banquet in the honour of Mr Modi at East Lake. (AIR News)
