Want mutually acceptable solution to contentious issues with India, says China

Beijing, June 28

In a guarded response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments that India has a “whole lot of problems” with China, Beijing on Tuesday said it will be in dialogue with New Delhi to find a “fair, sensible and mutually acceptable solution” to the contentious issues.

“We have noted the relevant report. China-India relationship is in a generally good state,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told PTI here in response to questions on Modi's interview to a private TV news channel.

Notwithstanding Hong’s remarks, a state-run daily on Tuesday defended China’s opposition to India’s entry into the NSG as “morally legitimate” and hit out at India saying the West has “spoiled” the country making it a “bit smug” in international affairs.

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In a hard-hitting editorial, Global Times said it was rules, not China that prevented India’s entry into the 48-nation elite nuclear trading body.

Hong, however, said, "Common interests between the two countries far outweigh their differences. The Chinese side will work with the Indian side to steer the bilateral relations, and deepen cooperation in different fields,”.

"As for problems in the bilateral relations, the Chinese side will stay in communication and dialogue with the Indian side to find a fair, sensible and mutually acceptable solution," he said, referring to Modi's remarks.

Modi had said, “We have an ongoing dialogue with China and it should continue to happen. We don't have one problem with China, we have a whole lot of problems pending with China. There are so many issues."

On India getting the membership of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) ahead of China, Hong said, "We have noted that some of the multilateral export control regimes have changed in one way or another. With that in mind, China is assessing the effectiveness of the MTCR in safeguarding the international non-proliferation regime."

China is yet to be inducted into the 34-member MTCR regime. India became 35th member yesterday.

Reports say China, which blocked India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), is lobbying to become member of the MTCR group.

The MTCR restricts the proliferation of missiles, rocket systems, unmanned air vehicles, or drones, and the technology for systems capable of carrying a payload of 500 kg for at least 300 km.

India emerging West’s ‘golden boy’: Daily

Meanwhile, the Global Times editorial said at least 10 countries, including China, had opposed the accession of non-signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) into the NSG.

“India is not a signatory to the NPT, but is the most active applicant to join the NSG. Before the Seoul meeting, the Indian media played up the prospects of its bid. Some even claim that among the 48 members of the NSG, 47 had given it a green light, except China,” said the editorial titled ‘Delhi’s NSG bid upset by rules, not Beijing’.

“...India wants to be the first exception to join the NSG without signing the NPT. It is morally legitimate for China and other members to upset India’s proposal in defence of principles,” said the tabloid, part of the ruling Communist Party of China’s publications.

The daily known for its nationalistic postures said India is emerging as the “golden boy” of the West.

“Recent years have seen the Western world giving too many thumbs up to India, but thumbs down to China. India is spoiled. Although the South Asian country’s GDP accounts for only 20 per cent of that of China, it is still a golden boy in the eyes of the West, having a competitive edge and more potential compared to China. The international ‘adulation’ of India makes the country a bit smug in international affairs,” it said.

Criticising Indian media and public reaction on India’s failed NSG bid, it, however, said the Indian government had behaved “decently”.

“Some Indians are too self-centered and self-righteous. On the contrary, the Indian government behaves decently and is willing to communicate. Throwing a tantrum won’t be an option for New Delhi,” it said.

“India’s nationalists should learn how to behave themselves. Now that they wish their country could be a major power, they should know how major powers play their games,” the daily said.

Taking exception to the US support to India for NSG entry, the editorial said, “US backing adds the biggest impetus to India’s ambition. By cosying up to India, Washington’s India policy actually serves the purpose of containing China.”

“The US is not the whole world. Its endorsement does not mean India has won the backing of the world. This basic fact, however, has been ignored by India,” it said. — PTI