Beijing echoes Modi's remarks, says sound, stable ties with India vital

BEIJING: China on Thursday said "sound and stable ties" with India serve the common interests of both countries as it reacted to PM Narendra Modi's remarks that for New Delhi, ties with Beijing are important and the "pro-longed situation" at the borders should be addressed urgently.
In an interview with Newsweek magazine, which described India's rise as "unstoppable", Modi hoped that through positive and constructive bilateral engagement at the diplomatic and military levels, the two countries will be able to restore and sustain peace and tranquility at their borders.
"China noted PM Modi's remarks," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. "Sound and stable China-India relations... are conducive to peace and development in the region and beyond," she said.
On the boundary question, Mao reiterated China's oft-repeated stand that it does not "represent the entirety of China-India relations, and it should be placed appropriately in bilateral relations and managed properly".
However, India has maintained that there cannot be restoration of normalcy in its relations with China as long as the state of the borders remains abnormal.
Mao said both countries maintain close communication through diplomatic and military channels on han-dling issues related to the border situation and have made positive progress. "We hope that India will work with China, approach the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective," Mao said.