China and India offer ‘opportunities, not a threat, to one another’ President Xi Jinping tells Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Chinese President urges Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to try to improve relations with its neighbour after Modi airs concerns about terrorism
- Despite Xi’s appeal for co-operation, some observers believe China’s rise is seen in New Delhi as the principal national threat
President Xi Jinping has said China and India should not regard each other as a threat in a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The relationship between the two countries has been overshadowed by border disputes, and India’s demands that Pakistan – one of China’s key allies – take tougher action against terrorism.
Modi raised his concerns about terrorism with Xi and, in a subsequent meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Chinese leader urged Islamabad to work to improve relations with New Delhi.
“China supports Pakistan and India improving relations,” Xi said. “The two sides should thoroughly communicate on issues of common concern and jointly safeguard international and regional security and stability.”
The exchanges between the three happened during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
The meeting with Modi on Thursday was the first meeting between the leaders since Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party won the general election in May.