PM Modi reaches China, Xi tries to pre-empt him on terror

Asia

Chinese President Xi Jinping looked to pre-empt Prime Minister Narendra Modi on terrorism by calling for a "holistic" approach that includes addressing "symptoms and root causes" even as a bilateral meeting between the two leaders is yet to be announced.

This came even as Modi reached the Chinese city of Xiamen on Sunday for the BRICS summit.

The reference to "root causes" will trouble India as it is usually used as a code to take into account Pakistan's justifications that include alleged Indian actions in J&K. Pakistan, of course, does not consider its own promotion of terror groups as root causes for terrorism on Indian soil.

Also, Modi's one-on-one meeting with Xi appeared uncertain as the ministry of external affairs released late Sunday a list of events he would attend on Monday.

The PM's schedule includes the plenary session on Monday morning when leaders of five BRICS countries speak, to be followed by bilateral meetings with Russian and Brazilian presidents.

There is no mention of any meeting with Xi. Modi leaves for Myanmar on Monday evening.

However, Modi and Xi will shake hands and meet briefly during a cultural event and a welcome banquet hosted by China.

Experts said a meeting between Modi and Xi might be helpful in reducing the distrust generated by the border stand-off at Doklam, which was resolved through an agreement last week. But Xi is under pressure from hawkish sections in the Communist Party who regard the pact as a "victory" for China instead of a mutual agreement.

Modi arrived at the Chinese coastal city of Xiamen along with leaders of four other countries late Sunday evening. He was received at the airport by Chinese assistant foreign minister Kong Xuanyou and the Chinese ambassador in India, Luo Zhaohui.

There are indications that Modi might raise the issue of terrorism emanating from Pakistan as he did during last year's BRICS meet in Goa.
The Chinese foreign ministry had earlier objected to such a move, saying "it's not an appropriate topic to be discussed at the BRICS summit". MEA said any leader, including the Indian PM, was entitled to discuss any issue he wants to at the summit. The Beijing-based hawkish Global Times said India might "create a scene" at the BRICS summit.

Source: timesofindia