India Working with China on NSG Membership, UN Sanctions on Terrorists: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) told Rajya Sabha on Thursday that India and China remain committed to working towards strengthening the “Closer Developmental Partnership” for mutual benefit.

In his written replies to questions posed in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs, General VK Singh, emphasised on leadership level meets and visits that have “consolidated” ties.

To a question on Doklam and where the two countries stand, the junior minister said that engagement between the two sides has been “multifaceted” with “commonality of views” and expanded “engagement” which has “upgraded” in recent years.

“Issues where there are differences are being handled through dialogue to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution based on mutual respect and sensitivity to each other’s interests, concerns and aspirations”, he said.

India has said that differences should not become disputes. India and China went through severe souring of relations in 2017-2018 after the two sides sparred over road building by China at the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction in Doklam.

“Both sides agree that progress in bilateral relations should be guided by the consensus reached between their leaders that at a time of global uncertainty, India-China relations are a factor of stability and that the two countries must not allow their differences to become disputes”, said General Singh.

“Accordingly, both sides have been working towards utilizing their bilateral dialogue mechanisms to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in a wide range of areas”, he added in his reply.

To a question, on the issue of China blocking India’s move to ban Pakistan-based terrorists at the UNSC 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee, the MoS MEA said that India continues to raise the matter with Beijing at the highest level.

“As regards China’s blocking of international efforts for the listing of Pakistan based terrorists under the United Nations Sanctions Committee, Government has been raising the issue with China, including at the highest level, consistently highlighting the threat of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and affecting the region, including India”, he said.

The MEA also said that India has remained engaged in dialogue with China, which is a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, on matters related to India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

China has been stonewalling India’s entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group and now has made New Delhi’ bid subject to the grouping accepting Pakistan’s bid as well.

Source:IT

Image Courtesy:Reuters