Modi raises with Xi China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

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Gaurav Sharma | 05 Sep, 2016
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday told Chinese President Xi Jinping about India's concerns over terrorism emanating from Pakistan's restive regions through which the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is being built.

In his 35-minute long meet with Xi on the sidelines of the G20 leaders' summit in Hangzhou city, Modi conveyed to him that Delhi and Beijing "would have to be sensitive to each other's strategic interests".

"He (Modi) said it is of paramount importance that both countries respect each other's aspirations, concerns and strategic interests," External Affairs Minstry spokesperson Vikas Swarup told Indian journalists here.

The ongoing China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passes through the restive regions of Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and the Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

In his interaction with Xi, Modi said the attack on the Chinese embassy in Bishkek was yet another proof of "scourge if terrorism".

Modi told Xi that our response to terrorism "must not be motivated by political consideration" -- an apparent reference to Pakistan, India's arch-rival and China's all-weather friend.

In his meeting with BRICS leaders, Modi said "terrorists in South Asia or anywhere for that matter do not own banks or weapons factories and are funded".

Swarup refused to divulge if the issue of India's membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group figured in the meet with Xi.

"If you read between the lines when we are talking about our strategic interests, concerns and aspirations, it is not that China is unaware of our strategic interests, concerns or aspirations or that we are unaware of theirs. It is something that both sides are aware of," Swarup said.

Xi told Modi that China is willing to work with India to maintain their hard-won sound relations and further advance their cooperation, Xinhua news agency reported.