· China called India its “natural partner” in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and advocated better ties between New Delhi and Islamabad within the Eurasian framework.
· China signalled that differences between New Delhi and Beijing on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Project (CPEC) were overridden by the rapid turnaround in their ties after the Wuhan summit.
· The Chinese official stressed that CPEC is an economic initiative. Implementing CPEC does not jeopardise China’s position on Kashmir.
· China refused to accept India’s permanent exclusion from BRI and as historically India was an important country on the ancient Silk Road.
· So far India has not formally endorsed BRI, and last year New Delhi did not participate in a summit of the grouping, leading to considerable consternation in Beijing.
· Mr. Zhang cited India and China’s collaboration in the infrastructure arena through the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) — one of the pillars that also props BRI projects.
· India is a founding member of AIIB and second largest shareholder of the bank.
· Separately, the Chinese Foreign Ministry welcomed India and Pakistan’s joint participation in a Eurasian counterterrorism military exercise under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Source : The Hindu