JOIN USHigh optics highlighting the “highest level reception” extended by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Xi’an on Thursday has become the buzzword for the official media here which said it pointed to “warming relations” between India and China.
“It is not quite often for top Chinese leaders to travel outside Beijing to meet foreign guests. The tour of the ancient Xi’an City, a place closely connected to China and India’s deep historical links, was a carefully orchestrated choice,” state-run Xinhua news agency said in a special commentary.
Xi returned the favour by offering Modi a visit to his family origin of Shaanxi, it said, referring to the similar welcome accorded to Xi when he visited Ahmedabad last year.
“The exchange of visits by the leaders from the world’s two largest emerging economies soon after both took office has signalled warming relations between the two oriental giants,” it said.
Earlier state-run China Daily said it is clear that if the “Chinese Dragon” and the “Indian Elephant” co-exist harmoniously and realise peaceful, cooperative development, it will bring benefit to not only their combined 2.5 billion people, but also those living beyond their borders.
Map controversy
A controversy was kicked up on Thursday with China’s state-owned television CCTV showing India’s map without Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh while reporting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.
China has been laying territorial claim over Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Jammu and Kashmir.