While acknowledging the cautious optimism surrounding the engagement, he highlighted the need for a gradual and measured approach.
General Narasimhan noted that China’s statements following the meeting appeared tentative, emphasising the importance of mutual respect and sensitivity—key concerns consistently raised by the Indian side. He further emphasised the need for careful consideration of Chinese investments in India, ensuring they align with India’s strategic interests.
“If you look at the statement that has come out after the meeting from the Chinese side, it looks as if it is a little tentative kind of a step that is being taken forward. While Wang Yi talked about three mutual’s, he did not talk about mutual respect and mutual sensitivity and mutual interest, which our foreign minister has been putting across. And Misri has actually been quite cautiously optimistic in making the step forward in normalising this bilateral relationship between India and China. On the question of the technicians, etc, coming in from China, I don’t think there’s been a problem in their coming in. I think selectively the visas have been given for those people to come in and operationalise the machinery, etc. So that is also being done in some form or the other. The industry, of course, wants more investments to come from China, but that I think we need to take it with a little bit of caution and see which all investments suit our requirements and then take that step forward,” Narasimhan said in an interview to CNBC-TV18.
Addressing concerns regarding China’s dam construction in the Tibetan plateau, General Narasimhan acknowledged the limitations of India’s influence as a downstream nation. “Mixed signals are coming out of China. If it’s a run-of-the-river project, there’s no major implication. But if it involves water diversion, it could impact the Brahmaputra’s flow to some extent,” he explained.
Regarding the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and border trade, Narasimhan acknowledged their symbolic importance. “The Mansarovar Yatra has been stopped for four years. Talks of its revival could be a positive step. As for border trade, while it’s minor, it helps border communities on both sides and contributes to normalising relations,” he remarked.
The visit by Vikram Misri marks the second high-profile Indian delegation to China in six weeks, following a series of beneficial dialogues. The Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, called for avoiding mutual suspicion and estrangement, asserting that the development of China-India relations aligns with the interests of both nations.
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