BRI: China will ‘not be too hard’ on India

Wuhan: China on Saturday said there is no fundamental difference with India on the issue of “inter-connectivity” and Beijing will “not be too hard” with New Delhi on the issue of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The BRI, a multi-billion-dollar initiative launched by President Xi Jinping when he came to power in 2013, has become a major sticking point in the bilateral ties. The BRI also includes the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which India opposes as it goes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

At the end of the two-day informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi in the central Chinese city, Chinese vice-foreign minister Kong Xuanyou said, “we feel that there is no fundamental difference between China and India on the issue of supporting inter-connectivity.”

“The Indian side does not exclude this cooperation. It is also continuing to advance on interconnection. India is also a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Inve-stment Bank. It is the second largest shareholder of our region,” he said.

“As for whether India accepts the expression Belt and Road, I think it is not important and China will not be too hard on it,” he said.

India had boycotted last year’s Belt and Road For-um organised by China.

The BRI, a pet initiative of President Xi, is aimed at promoting network of roads, ports and rail networks all over the world to spread China’s influence.

Mr Kong said both China and India seek a fair settlement of their border dispute.

The two countries will also enhance military and security communication mechanisms, Mr Kong said.