China Seeks New Chapter With ‘Largest Trading Partner’ India

China says bilateral ties, including trade, with India has been moving forward (Representational)

New Delhi:  It is time for India and China to “turn the old page and start a new chapter,” China’s envoy to India Luo Zhaohui said in New Delhi yesterday on the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Mr Zhaohui, who had given strong statements against India during the Doklam standoff, said the two countries have moved on since the over two-month-long crisis ended and have been making progress at the bilateral level.”China is the largest trading partner of India. We have made a lot of progress at the bilateral level as well as in international and regional affairs,” Mr Zhaohui said.

“In the history of bilateral engagement, there have been thousands of prominent persons like Professor Xu, including Xuanzang, Faxian, Bodhidharma and Tagore. We should never forget their contribution and legacies. History could teach us a lot of things. Standing on their shoulders, we should do more today,” the top diplomat said.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh celebrated Dussehra with jawans of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police at Lapthal near the border with China. It was the first visit by a senior minister to the border with China after the Doklam standoff eneded.

“The deadlock in Doklam was resolved through positive dialogue between India and China,” Mr Singh said.

During the Doklam standoff, Mr Zhaohui had told news agency PTI that “the ball is in India’s court” and it was for the Indian government to decide what options could be on the table to resolve the standoff.

When asked about remarks by official Chinese media and Chinese think-tanks that the conflict can lead to a “war” if not handled properly, the ambassador had said: “There has been talk about this option, that option. It is up to your government policy (whether to exercise military option).”