No going back, only forward movement will define India-China ties: Jaishankar

Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on Friday said that India-China relations are only moving forward and added that there was no scope for looking or going back.

Addressing a news conference after delegation-level talks between the two countries here, Jaishankar said, "Yesterday's talks with President Xi was for about 90 minutes, and then, they were together for

an hour at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and, they were roughly two hours together at dinner and the programmes that followed. Today, we had 90 minutes of restricted talks between the Prime Minister and Premier Li. About half-an-hour, may be they shared more during delegation-level talks. And then, there was an event to do with the leaders of the provinces and mayors, leaders of regions. Twenty-four agreements were signed, and we released a joint statement."

Broadly, discussing the approach of the two sides at the discussions that took place, Jaishankar said, "I think the approach was of two major powers dealing with each other, in the region and the world. In terms of the relationship, again, this is a very careful choice of words; it is a constructive model of relationship."

"What you see in the joint statement is this- two major powers dealing with each other in a constructive way. Now, expressing that in bilateral relations, on regional issues and on global issues, two words that came up very often in the conversation, both yesterday and today, were 'strategic communication' and 'strategic coordination'. Again, I put those two words in the context of the two major powers," he added.

"There was an overall sense that, one- we needed to moves on the outstanding issues. But, we also needed to develop a more positive narrative of our relationship and to build higher levels of trust.

Giving flavour of the conversation, Mr. Modi, for example, said that when it comes to our relationship, there is no question of going back, but standing still was also not an option, and the only way was to move forward," Jaishankar added.

Jaishankar further said, "Similarly today, Premier Li spoke of the image of our relationship in the past of being adversaries and competitors. And why today we need to creditably project a positive partnership. That sense that today the relationship is poised at a very important juncture with our possibilities of moving forward. Again was felt yesterday by President Xi. So, there is that sense on both sides at the leadership level that it is possible for the two countries to do more when the opportunities are there."

He further emphasised on acknowledging and resolving the issues between the two nations.

"Yes, we have issues and we must address those issues, but, that should not lead us to neglect the possibilities and opportunities we have," he said.