As Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made a “successful” visit to India despite recent border standoff, an influential state-run daily here took a dig at US saying Washington should not feel “jealous” over close Sino-Indian ties.
The ruling Communist Party’s mouthpiece, People’s Daily, also said India would not harm its ties with China to further the US’ strategic interests.
“Li Keqiang’s India visit will promote the two countries strategic partnership to a large extent. But the United States should not be jealous, because China and India do not want to be its enemy; they just hope to cooperate with it,” it said.
Outlining India-China economic development, it said “even the United States cannot ignore China and India’s influence in international affairs. The two highly complementary economies are quickly developing their economic and trade cooperation.”
“Because of the boundary problems between the two countries, some conflicts do exist between them. But the leaders of the two countries have not been misled by American and Japanese right wing forces. India will not harm the relationship with China just for the sake of realising certain countries’ strategic interests,” it said.
Meanwhile, China said the visit would give a strong boost to bilateral strategic cooperative partnership even as the Premier termed his trip as “successful” and “felt at home” during talks with his counterpart, Dr Manmohan Singh.
“India and China decided enhance cooperation and coordination to international and regional affairs,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a media briefing when asked how China viewed Mr Li’s current visit to India. “He had a successful visit. We believe this visit will give a strong boost to China-India strategic and cooperative partnership of peace and prosperity,” he said.