‘We need trust to build relations’

NEW DELHI: President Hu Jintao hit the bull’s eye when he told a gathering of the capital’s  movers and  shakers on Wednesday morning that the first step in giving depth to India -China relations was to  bridge the deficit of trust.

“First, increase mutual political trust and consolidate the basis of China-India relations,” Hu said, winding up his stay in New Delhi with a speech on “Working together to expand cooperation to create a bright future.”

The Chinese President will be in Agra and then he will visit  the city of Mumbai.

Despite the lofty public assertions by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Hu Jintao that India and China are partners not rivals, the fact remains there is mutual suspicion lurking just below the surface between the two countries.

“Both countries are trying hard to build mutual trust, the process is on and meetings like this will help,” says Srikant Kondapillai, associate professor in Chinese studies in JNU. 

China may have announced its decision to go ahead with civilian nuclear co-operation with India, but this is after opposing India’s nuclear programme tooth and nail since 1974, and more recently the 1998 tests. China is eyeing India’s growing closeness with the US and the landmark nuclear agreement signed last year, with a great deal of concern.

More so, because Beijing believes Washington is hoping to balance China’s growing military and economic clout with India’s rising ambitions.

In his address President Hu welcomed and supported the India-Pakistan peace moves and reminded the audience that “China does not seek any selfish gains in South Asia and stands ready to play a constrictive role in promoting peace and development in the sub-continent.”

New Delhi has always viewed with suspicion China’s close ties with Pakistan, and Beijing’s help in Islamabad’s nuclear weapons programme. At all critical junctures in India-Pakistan relations, Beijing had backed its ally. The only exception was during the Kargil intrusion, where China stayed neutral.

Yet despite the mistrust China and India are hoping to forge together a mutually beneficial partnership with the accent on trade. “Working hand in hand, China and India will make greater progress in development. This will deliver enormous benefit to the 2.4 billion Chinese and Indian peoples and the people of Asia and the world,” President Hu said.

Uneasy ties

There is mutual suspicion between the two countries China is eyeing India’s growing closeness with the US and the landmark nuclear deal with a great deal of concern Beijing believes Washington is hoping to balance China’s growing military and economic clout with India’s rising ambitions New Delhi has always viewed with suspicion China’s close ties with Pakistan.