Bilateral ties not held hostage by border row

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to India is expected to be a significant milestone in the ever-improving and evolving closeness between two Asian giants.

In an interview with Gulf News, former Indian ambassador to China, C.V. Ranganathan looks at India-China relations in a positive light.

Excerpts from the interview:

GULF NEWS: What is the significance of Wen Jiabao's visit to India? Will it mark a new milestone?

C.V. RANGANATHAN: As you know, this [India-China relations] is a continuously evolving relationship. It began with Rajiv Gandhi's 1988 visit to Beijing, which was followed by the 1993 visit, when it was decided to initiate confidence building measures, and they were taken forward in 1996. Wen's visit to India will be marked by greater improvement in trade ties.

Do you think there is forward movement on the boundary question?

As has been indicated, the guiding principles and the political parameters for resolving the boundary question will be announced during the visit.

Is improvement in bilateral ties dependent on the resolution of the boundary question?

The bilateral ties are not held hostage to the boundary question. The trade between the two countries has grown at a tremendous pace. The improvement in the overall atmosphere of bilateral ties will help in the talks over the boundary question.

Does the issue of Sikkim pose a problem, especially with regard to maps?

The Sikkim issue is the creation of the media. China had never disputed India's control over Sikkim.

What do you think of China's equations with Pakistan in the light of the new rapprochement between India and China?

From the mid-1990s onwards, China has recognised that India is a major power in South Asia. And with regard to India-Pakistan ties, it has made it clear that a solution to the problems between the two countries can be resolved only through bilateral talks.

Is China looking to India as a partner to fight the WTO battles?

There is no confrontation. There are no fights. India and China reflect the concerns of the developing countries, and they will articulate those concerns.

Is the Western assessment of China and India as potential super powers an oversimplification of the issue?

There is no oversimplification. It is based on facts and figures. India and China are the fastest growing economies in Asia, if not in the world.

Do you think that China's refusal to lend support to India's effort to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council is a sore point. Are all countries supporting India's claim to be a permanent member of the Security Council?

UN reforms have to be debated in the General Assembly, in the Security Council and then by the permanent members. When the time comes, China will not stand in the way of India becoming a permanent member of the Security Council.