‘Bilateral ties aren’t driven by emotions’

India is neither defenceless nor weak in its relations with China, but bilateral relations cannot be driven by emotions, according to a senior government official familiar with the recent instances of reported incursions by China along the Indian border.

India is neither defenceless nor weak in its relations with China, but bilateral relations cannot be driven by emotions, according to a senior government official familiar with the recent instances of reported incursions by China along the Indian border.

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Government of India finds incessant reports in Indian media of Chinese incursions as disproportionate and wants to temper down the reactions.

“The Chinese side too is enthusiastic to temper the situation,” the official said.

India feels that 13 rounds of talks between the special representatives of the two countries have made progress though a deadline cannot be set for finding a resolution for the vexed border dispute between the two countries.

An air incursion — the first in the last two years — and several ground incursions in the month of July had led to wide media coverage on the possible escalation of tension between the two countries. Both India and China have officially downplayed the issue, pointing out that in the absence of demarcated boundaries such breaches are commonplace and there was nothing to be worked up about.

India has accorded Chinese companies contracts worth $ 11 billion last year and the trade in goods between two countries was worth $ 51 billion last year. However, India has a huge trade deficit with China and is looking to expand its basket of exports to include more agriculture produce and capital goods.