Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang on Tuesday congratulated PM Modi on his re-election for a third term and said Beijing is willing to work with New Delhi to “push bilateral relations in the right direction”. In a message, Li Keqiang said the sound and stable development of China-India relations is not only in the interest of the people of the two countries but also helps in spreading stability and positive energy in the region and the world, state news agency Xinhua reported.
“China is willing to work with India to push bilateral relations in the right direction,” Chinese Premier (Prime Minister) Li Keqiang said. PM Modi was sworn in as prime minister for a record third time on Sunday. The Chinese Foreign Ministry congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the victory of the BJP-led NDA alliance in the general elections on June 5 and said the two countries should look to the future to put bilateral relations, which have been stalled since the Galwan incident four years ago, on a healthy and stable track.
Statement of Chinese Foreign Ministry
Since the border standoff began in eastern Ladakh on May 5, 2020, all relations between the two countries, except trade, had deteriorated. After this, there was a violent clash in the Pangong Tso (lake) area near Galwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said in a media briefing, “We noted the results of India’s general election and congratulated the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on their victory.”
Responding to a question asked by the official media to know China’s comment on Modi’s victory, Mao said that a healthy and stable relationship is in the interest of both countries and is conducive to peace and development in the region and beyond. He said that China is ready to work with India to work in the fundamental interests of both countries and people, keep in mind the overall interest of our relations, look to the future and push bilateral relations forward on a healthy and stable path.
Why did Chinese President Xi Jinping not send a congratulatory message
It is believed that Chinese President Xi Jinping did not send a congratulatory message to PM Modi due to the tension on the India-China border. Jinping’s attitude towards India has already been aggressive. However, China has suffered heavy losses due to the policies of the Modi government. India has also imposed an undeclared ban on Chinese companies’ investment in India. Xi Jinping is irritated with India due to the tension on the border and in business relations. It is believed that this is why he has kept silence on PM Modi’s victory.
Opposed this statement of PM Modi
However, a day after this media briefing, China protested PM Modi’s comment that he is looking forward to building close relations with Taiwan. PM Modi’s comment came in response to the congratulatory message given by Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te on his election victory. China considers Taiwan a rebellious province which insists on being re-integrated with the mainland even by force.
India has been pressing the People’s Liberation Army to withdraw from the Depsang and Demchok areas, saying that as long as the situation on the border remains abnormal, normality in its relations with China cannot be restored.
