G-20 Summit: PM Modi raises concerns over CPEC, NSG, terrorism

Hangzhou(China): In a firm response to China’s opposition to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azahar as a terrorist in United Nations, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in G-20 summit said, “The response to terrorism must not be driven by any political consideration.”

The Indian PM held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and raised a number of issues including terrorism and China’s opposition regarding India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). PM Modi also raised concerns regarding China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and said that India, China must respect each other's aspirations, concerns and strategic interests.

The CPEC is a collection of projects currently under construction intended to rapidly expand and upgrade Pakistani infrastructure and deepen economic links between Pakistan and China. The $46 billion project is considered to be an extension of China’s ambitious ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative.

China willing to work with India, said President Jinping:

• The Chinese President Xi Jinping, during the bilateral talks with the Indian PM stated, ‘China is willing to work with India to maintain their hard-won sound relations and further advance their cooperation.”
• Jinping also praised PM Modi's leadership of the Indian economy. Appreciating PM Modi’s energy policy, Jinping said that the two countries should constructively handle their differences.

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US president Obama appreciated India for implementing GST:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was appreciated by the United States President Barack Obama for implementing one nation- one tax system in India. Obama called GST a “bold policy” move in a “difficult” global economic scenario.
• The two leaders briefly met onstage to pose for a family photograph at the G-20 Summit venue in the eastern Chinese city.

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PM Modi met Theresa May:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met his newly appointed British counterpart Theresa May and Argentinian President Mauricio Macri and held informal talks with both the leaders.

The Indian PM, who arrived in Hangzhou on Friday last, from Vietnam, for the summit will leave for New Delhi later in the day.