Neighbours to exchange notes on tackling media

In an attempt to keep their bilateral ties hassle-free, India and China will exchange notes on their experience in dealing with the media. The foreign ministries of both the countries are looking at a regular mechanism to understand the role the media plays in bilateral relations.

In an attempt to keep their bilateral ties hassle-free, India and China will exchange notes on their experience in dealing with the media. The foreign ministries of both the countries are looking at a regular mechanism to understand the role the media plays in bilateral relations.

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The matter will be discussed on Monday during the visit of Chinese foreign office spokesperson Qin Gang at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Syed Akbaruddin. Besides the official-level meetings, including the one between the two spokespersons, Qin Gang will also be interacting with Indian media persons during his two-day trip to India from Monday. This is happening ahead of the Chinese premier Li Keqiang’s visit to India later this month.

The official sources said such a mechanism to exchange notes on each other’s media and factor in “the roles they play” should be a key aspect in the formulation and implementation of foreign policies. “The media does play a key role these days. So, we have to factor in the role that it plays. The foreign policy issues are being keenly debated, discussed and reported in the media. This holds true about India–China ties,” said official sources.

“Often the Chinese think that we have a decisive influence on the Indian media and what they do. We hear about this official meeting,” a source told HT.

Increase in media exchange and improving the people-to-people ties are the ideal ways to foster a very important yet very delicate relationship.