Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his China visit Saturday and headed for South Korea and Mongolia. During his three-day official trip, he traveled to Xi'an, Beijing and Shanghai, reviewing China-India friendship in history, discussing strategic cooperation and divergences at present and defining new avenues for the bilateral economic collaboration with Chinese leaders.

The joint statement issued by the two nations, the speech Modi delivered at Tsinghua University and his activities in Shanghai have demonstrated that China and India have made positive progress in cultural and people-to-people exchanges, strategic coordination and economic cooperation. Modi's first journey to China since he assumed office constitutes a significant step in building Sino-Indian strategic mutual trust. 

In the first place, the state heads of the two countries have strengthened mutual trust with practical actions. Modi was offered an unprecedented welcome and reception in China. Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Modi in a reciprocal gesture and Premier Li Keqiang accompanied him to attend a taichi and yoga show at Beijing's Temple of Heaven.

Beijing received some return from New Delhi. Modi revealed at Tsinghua University that Chinese tourists would be able to apply for Indian e-visas, which, however, is not stated in the joint statement. In addition, Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj announced that the Indian government had yet to make a decision on the e-visa regime just hours before Modi talked of it.

China and India are adopting concrete measures to ramp up strategic coordination both globally and regionally. In the joint statement issued Friday, the two sides expressed their willingness to co-shape the agenda on regional and global affairs and expand cooperation in Beijing-New Delhi-Moscow trilateral ties, BRICS nations, the G20, the World Trade Organization and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). They released a joint statement on climate change, in hope of seeking more interests for developing countries.

China has been supporting India in becoming a full member of the SCO and India is committed to deepening cooperation with China in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. The two Asian powers work in concerted effort mainly to realize national rejuvenation as well as an "Asian century."

The two sides are turning their intentions for further cooperation, which were agreed upon in the joint statement issued last September, into action. In cultural and people-to-people exchanges, a China-India think tank forum and a high-level media forum are being established, sister cities fostered and increasing communication in education carried out.

On the political, strategic and security fronts, cooperation forums will be set up between Chinese provinces and Indian states, and regular visits and exchanges will be made between military headquarters and neighboring military commands of the two countries. The policies to improve border peace and stability show that the Modi government has recognized the difficulty to resolve the prolonged boundary dispute in a short time. Therefore he has resorted to a more pragmatic attitude.

Shenzhen, a special economic zone in South China's Guangdong Province, will cooperate with Gujarat International Finance Tec-City in building smart cities.

China is planning to upgrade the railway connecting Chennai, Bangalore and Mysore, provide professional and technical training for Indian workers as well as cooperate with India in aviation and aerospace. The two sides signed 24 agreements in a wide range of areas in Beijing and Modi got business deals worth $22 billion from Shanghai.

Beijing has rendered enormous endorsement for New Delhi in regional and international cooperation, but acquired less in comparison.

Tens of billions of investment deals will, of course, facilitate Chinese firms in entering India's market. How they will benefit China rests on to which extent India will open its market. Plus, China has failed to gain support from India on issues concerning its key interests, especially in building the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Prior to Xi's India trip last year, Modi pledged to promote Sino-Indian ties from "Inch" (India-China) toward "Miles" (a millennium of exceptional synergy).

It is a lengthy process for the two countries to configure strategic mutual trust, in which China has been rather active. It is expected that in the future India will take bolder steps in a more positive stance.

Source of documents：Global Times