Can’t differ on terror, PM Modi tells Xi Jinping

India on Saturday did some plain speaking with China about tackling terror.

During a bilateral meeting here, held on the sidelines of the Brics summit, India said that countries cannot afford to have differences on the issue of terror and put forward its concerns over Beijing blocking UN’s designation of JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

The Indian position was conveyed by PM Narendra Modi to Chinese President Xi Jinping against the backdrop of China putting on hold India’s move to get Azhar, the brain behind the Pathankot attack, banned by the UN.

Mr Modi told Mr Xi that “both India and China are victims of terrorism and the region was suffering fr-om the menace”. The PM said “no country is imm-une from terrorism and, on this issue, we cannot afford to have any differences,” MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup told reporters after the meeting. At the meeting, Mr Xi also disclosed that a second round of dialogue between the two countries will be held soon on India’s bid for membership of the elite NSG in which New Delhi hopes “differences” will be narrowed down.

“In particular, India and China must increase their coordination in context of UN 1267 committee and look for common ground,” Mr Swarup said.

India has been upset with China when recently exten-ded its technical hold on New Delhi’s move to designate Azhar a global terrorist. Mr Swarup said India was in dialogue with China on enforcing a UN ban on Azhar. “We expect China will see logic in it,” he said.

Asked whether China has been provided with any proof in the pursuit of obtaining China’s support on the Azhar issue, he said “no evidence”.

But, Mr Swarup said, the Chinese leader clearly acknowledged increasing threat of terrorism and condemned all forms and manifestations of terrorism.

Replying to questions whether China has softened on its stand on India’s NSG membership, Mr Swarup said, “This shows there is dialogue, a good strategic dialogue. Of course this will narrow differences.”

Asked whether China reiterated the position that membership of the NSG was by consensus among parties, he replied “no”.

It was announced that Yang Jiechi will meet his Indian counterpart NSA Ajit Doval soon.

Last month, a Chinese delegation led by director general of department of arms control Wang Qun had visited India for talks on the issue with Indian officials.

In the June Plenary of NSG in Seoul, despite strong American support, China stonewalled India’s bid to get entry into the group on the grounds that it was a not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

On the economic side, both leaders noted the progress made, with Mr Xi talking about various issues to address the trade deficit in favour of China.