The first “informal” visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China this weekend is expected to open more direct lines of communication with Chinese President Xi Jinping to help the two sides resolve future disputes and misunderstandings with ease. However, there will be neither joint statements nor agenda-based discussions on specifics as “everything and anything” can be discussed by the two leaders. A broad, overarching discussion on various subjects of mutual interest in an informal setup without protocols and officials is what the two leaders are looking at.

Modi is scheduled to travel to Wuhan city in central China on April 27-28. He will be accompanied by Foreign Secretary and other senior officials. Even though Modi will be again travelling to Qingdao in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in June, sources said this visit is focused only to smoothen the rough edges in bilateral relations. Sources said both leaders were keen to have this kind of meeting.

This is the first time Modi will be having any “informal” meeting with a state head. Sources said this system will help the two leaders talk freely in an informal one-on-one setup without worrying much about protocols and set agendas.

“There are no specific issues planned in a structured way as usually happens in the bilateral meetings. The idea is to have strategic communication at the highest level to build relationship strong and have overarching discussions on anything and everything. Hence, there will be no joint statements,” sources said. They added that both Modi and Xi expressed desire to understand each other’s domestic and foreign policies without having to communicate through a formal structure.

India and China have had differences on several issues in the last few years. This includes India’s membership in the Nuclear Supplier’s Group and sanctioning of Pakistan-based terror groups. Last summer troops of the two countries were engaged in a 73-day faceoff at Doklam Plateau at India-Tibet-China tri-junction.

“There has been no change in the status quo at the flash point in Doklam ever since the troops of the two countries pulled back last year,” sources said.

The news of Modi’s “informal” visit has generated sufficient amount of positivity in Chinese media which is terming Modi-Xi meeting in Wuhan as significant as the one between former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and then Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in 1988, when the two leaders brought back the ties to normal after years of bitterness. Both Gandhi and Deng agreed to forget the unpleasant things of the past and look to the future.

“Within China, hostility toward India is being replaced by hopes for friendly ties. The two countries need more communication to enhance trust and eliminate the possibility of another border crisis,” Chinese daily Global Times said.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Wednesday, 25 April 2018 | Vineeta Pandey | New Delhi