Indian envoy calls for more trade and investments

K J M Varma
Beijing, Aug 3 (PTI) The best way to reduce the "trust
deficit" between India and China is to respect each other's
core interests, India's top enovy here said Tuesday as he
pitched for more trade, investments and openings for Bollywood
movies here to enable it to reduce the huge trade deficit.
In a frank and candid live discussion on the state-run
CCTV, India's Ambassador to China S Jaishankar said "if there
is a lack of trust between the two countries the real issues
between them should be addressed."
Asked about Indian Environment Minister Jairam
Ramesh's recent comments that India should not view China as a
threat and there should no restrictions on Chinese trade and
investments in India, Jaishankar evaded a direct reply, saying
"I don't think Ambassadors comment on Minsters...(remarks)".
"Let me address the substance of the issue: If we are
looking at lack of trust or inadequacy of trust between India
and China, we have to accept that there are real issues out
there," he said.
"Core interest" is the most "fashionable" term in
China which broadly related to its integrity, peace and
security, he said.
Likewise, "India too has its own core interests.
Public perception will always be coloured by where another
country stand vis a vis India's core interests. If there is
image of China with broader public, it is tested against what
the public believes are the core interest of India."
He was apparently referring to China's stand on
Kashmir, issuance of stapled visas to Kashmiris travelling to
China and Beijing recent decision to build two nuclear plants
in Pakistan.
On the issue of Chinese investments in India,
Jaishankar said there are far more Chinese companies in India
doing much business in India than Indian companies in China
and called for more openings for Indian trade and businesses
in Chinese markets.
"To be more candid with you, Indian economy is far
more open to Chinese businesses than Chinese economy is to
Indian business. You see that in numbers," he said referring
to the growing trade deficit between the two countries, which
touched USD 16 billion last year.
"The trade gap alone is more than India's export to
China. I do not think it is just an issue of regulation," he
said. PTI KJV
MYR