NEW DELHI: If the unusual but little publicised presence of a Tibetan representative at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration was someone’s ploy to stymie Sino-Indian ties, there was no indication of it from the official briefing of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s meetings in New Delhi on Sunday.

The Telegraph reported that there was a Chinese demarche over the presence at Mr Modi’s swearing-in last month of the so-called prime minister of the self-styled Tibetan-government-in-exile that operates out of Dharmasala. At best of times this kind of activity by Tibetans in any country is seen as a major provocation by Beijing. The subject did not figure in the official narrative on Sunday which was, therefore, surprisingly forward-looking, even upbeat.

According to the Indian foreign ministry Mr Wang held a little over three hours of talks with Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, and she spoke in English, Hindi and a bit of Mandarin to start and close the meeting.

Meeting between foreign ministers termed a productive beginning

India and China thus discussed all “perennials” of their engagement, including the border issue and economic ties, in Beijing’s first interaction with the Modi administration. India described the meeting between Ms Swaraj and Mr Wang as a “very productive beginning”.

Mr Wang, according to the Indian foreign ministry spokesperson, said the new Indian government had “injected new vitality into an ancient civilisation”. Mr. Wang said the international community was closely following developments in India. “The Chinese and Indian dreams have a lot of commonalities, China welcomes the development of India, China supports the development of India, and is ready to engage with the new government of India,” Syed Akbaruddin said, quoting from the meeting.

Ms Swaraj, according to the Indian Express, put across the NDA government’s position on all issues of significance, from the complex boundary issue to the lopsided trade relations, from Pakistan ties to the nuclear activities, with “candour”, using expressions in Mandarin to welcome Mr Wang and to conclude the meeting.

Ms Swaraj used a mix of Hindi and English to interact with her Chinese counterpart at the meeting, which continued over lunch.

The spokesperson described the “tone, tenor and trajectory” of the talks as “cordial, useful, comprehensive, covering all important issues, substantive and productive”. Elaborating, he said: “China is a neighbour with whom we share a long border. Our neighbourhood as you are aware is a major focus of the government’s diplomatic engagement. China is also a major economy and our bilateral economic ties are of a significant magnitude. The perennials of India-China engagement are well known… all issues of significance were raised and discussed in a frank manner.”

The spokesperson asserted that Ms Swaraj also made it clear that while there was a determination to add new content and substance to the relationship, respect for each other’s “sensitivities and aspirations” was “essential for expansion of bilateral relations”.

On the issue of economic relations, “there was a fairly long discussion. These included specific projects, trajectory of economic ties, potential for tapping opportunities as well as the hurdles being faced in pursuing enhanced economic cooperation.”

The Indian spokesperson said the meeting was also “useful” since it helped draw out “possible opportunities for engagement” during the course of the year at high levels -- both in terms of bilateral visits to each other’s countries and meetings on the margins of various meetings that leaders from both countries are likely to participate in. There are at least half a dozen engagements in the next seven months where India’s top leadership will be able to meet their Chinese counterparts.

“A Chinese saying goes the journey of a 1,000 miles begins with a single step, and that step was taken today between the new government of India led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chinese government,” said the spokesperson.

Meanwhile, some reports said Tibetans staged a protest near Delhi University over the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise the Tibet issue with him.

The demonstration was held at North Delhi’s Majnu Ka Tila area which is home to substantial Tibetan population.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2014