Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on Friday described the ties between India and China as complicated, urging both countries to show maturity and not approach their bilateral relationship as a zero sum game.

Jaishankar stated that India wants China to acknowledge some of its pressing concerns, especially in relation to issues that do not directly affect China's interest, Times of India reported.

Like Us on Facebook

"Combating terrorism is one such area and sanctioning of well-known terrorist leaders........Nor should reservations on developmental issues, such as India's predictable access to international cooperation and investments in the field of civil nuclear energy," Jaishankar said.

Indian Foreign Secretary was making a reference to China's recent blockade against India's bid to blacklist Pakistani terrorist Masood Azhar with the United Nations as well as Beijing's role in stopping India's bid for membership in the Nuclear Supplier Group. Both issues have lead to a considerable strain in the diplomatic ties between both nations over the past few months.

Despite the ups and downs, India's top diplomat hailed the considerable progress that both countries have made over the decades.  "The report card of our ties for the last three decades is much stronger than many assume," he said.

Jaishankar added that it is no mean achievement that both countries are meeting and cooperating at a host of international forums including EAS, G20, SCO and BRICS.

On economic issues, India's diplomat raised concern about the lack of access to Chinese market for Indian companies, particularly in competitive areas like pharmaceutical and information technology.

He highlighted a number of initiatives taken by the Indian government to give a boost to India-China economic ties.

"They include a more enthusiastic welcome of Chinese investments, establishment of industrial parks, collaboration in railways and a more liberal visa regime," Jaishankar said.  

TagsIndia and China, Indian Foreign Secretary, India, china