Stable India-China relations can have positive impact on regional prosperity: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that his visit to China is an ode to the steady bilateral ties with the nation and steady ties with the neighbouring country is essential for peace in the Indo-Pacific region.

“At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, I would be traveling to Tianjin from here to take part in the SCO Summit. Since my meeting with President Xi in Kazan last year, steady and positive progress has been made in our bilateral ties,” PM Modi said in written response to an interview for The Yomiuri Shimbun.

“Stable, predictable, and amicable bilateral relations between India and China, as two neighbours and the two largest nations on earth, can have a positive impact on regional and global peace and prosperity,” he added.

PM Modi highlighted that stable India-China relations was essential for the multipolar world.

“This is also crucial for a multi-polar Asia and a multi-polar world. Given the current volatility in world economy, it is also important for India and China, as two major economies, to work together to bring stability to the world economic order. India is ready to advance bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, and to enhance strategic communication to address our developmental challenges,” he said.

PM Modi departed from Delhi on Thursday for a two-day official visit to Japan, scheduled from August 29 to 30, to attend the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit.

“From Japan, I will travel to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. India is an active and constructive member of the SCO. During our Presidency, we have introduced new ideas and initiated collaboration in the fields of innovation, health and cultural exchanges,” PM Modi said in his departing statement.

During his visit to China, PM Modi will hold two crucial meetings on the sidelines of the SCO Summit – one with President Xi Jinping and another with Russian President Vladimir Putin.