Chennai Connect: Modi, Xi talk trade and culture; agree to another summit
- Shruti Sundar Ray
- Oct 14, 2019
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 19, 2020
India and China deepen their bilateral relationship and find greater convergence, despite outstanding issues
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, in their 2nd Informal Summit on 11–12 October at Chennai, reiterated the consensus reached at the Wuhan Summit, by agreeing to prudently manage differences before they can become disputes.
They decided to establish a High-Level Economic and Trade Dialogue mechanism to enhance trade relations, as well as to encourage mutual investments, through the development of a Manufacturing Partnership. They also agreed on the importance of concluding negotiations for a mutually-beneficial and balanced Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
They exchanged views on the boundary question, and welcomed the efforts of the Special Representatives in arriving at a mutually-agreed framework based on the 2005 Political Parameters and Guiding Principles. They also emphasized the continuation of Confidence Building Measures to ensure peace in the border areas.
The two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views in a friendly atmosphere on long-term issues of global and regional importance. They furthered the consensus on strengthening the international framework against support for terrorist groups throughout the world, on a non-discriminatory basis.
Acknowledging the growing role of both countries on the global stage, they recognized that India and China have a common interest in advancing a rules-based and inclusive international order. The two countries will continue to work towards open and inclusive trade arrangements that will benefit all countries.
The leaders discussed the age-old and commercial linkages and people-to-people contacts between India and China. They agreed to establish sister-state relations between Tamil Nadu and Fujian province and explored the possibility of conducting research on maritime links between India and China. They also decided to designate 2020 as Year of India-China Cultural and People to People Exchange.
Both leaders agreed to continue the practice of Informal Summits to promote mutual understanding at the Leaders’ level in line with the ‘Wuhan Spirit’ and the ‘Chennai Connect’. Prime Minister Modi accepted President Xi’s invitation to visit China for the 3rd Informal Summit.
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