Cooperation between India, China should surge ahead like Ganges, Yangtze: Chinese FM

China has outlined a positive outlook for relations with India, highlighting that cooperation between the two neighbours should surge ahead like the "Ganges and Yangtze" rivers.

At a press conference on Friday, on the sidelines of the second session of the 13th National People's Conference here, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that India and China should be each other's partners in pursuing their respective dreams and opportunities for economic growth. "Collectively, we must make our due contribution to Asia's revitalisation and prosperity," said Wang.

He also spoke on the prevailing tensions between India and Pakistan, highlighting China's "constructive role" in mediating between the two countries in the wake of strained relations following the Pulwama terror attack, according to Chinese state media.

Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) had claimed responsibility for the attack which claimed the lives of around 40 CRPF personnel.

No mention of China's stand against Pakistan-supported terrorism was made during Wang's two-hour presser. No comments were also made whether China told Pakistan to stop providing support to terror outfits and terrorists in the wake of the JeM attack in India, even though the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou visited Pakistan on March 6.

China has also refrained from stating if it supports the listing JeM kingpin Masood Azhar as a global terrorist at the UN Security Council, as three of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the US, the UK and France -- have initiated renewed efforts to get Azhar proscribed in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack.

Until now, China has blocked India's attempts at listing Azhar at the UNSC at the behest of Pakistan. With the recent transpiration of events, China has shown no inclination about lifting its 'technical' hold on the proposal.

Even though JeM was proscribed by Pakistan in 2002, the terror outfit has been lately operating about freely, while its chief roams unrestrained in Pakistan. In fact, Pakistan's foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, notified about Azhar's health status following the Pulwama terror attack, reaffirming that the Pakistani government is in touch with the terror outfit's chief.

India has repeatedly underlined that necessary conditions have to be created for the resumption of India-Pakistan talks. During the recent visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to India, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Crown Prince called on all countries to reject the use of terrorism against other countries, dismantle terror infrastructure and cut off all support to terrorism besides punishing the terrorists.