Question 1: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will visit India. What does India expect from the visit, and what is the schedule of the visit. How many documents will be signed?

Answer: There has been steady progress in bilateral relations in recent years. The Declaration of June 2003 signed during then PM Vajpayee’s visit to China enshrines the principles on the basis of which we have agreed to build our long term and constructive relationship.

The visit of Premier Wen Jiabao to India next month is expected to mark a new phase in the development and diversification of our bilateral relations. It will further the growth of trust and understanding between our two countries. During his visit we expect to progress our relationship in such a manner that will further facilitate greater exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries. A series of important agreements are expected to be signed.

Question 2: This is Wen’s first visit to India as Premier. How much does the Indian people learn about Wen? What do you think about him?

Answer: Premier Wen Jiabao had received Prime Minister Vajpayee when the latter paid an official visit to China in June 2003. A very large Indian media contingent accompanied Prime Minister Vajpayee and covered his interactions with Premier Wen and other Chinese leaders. Since then, I believe our media has from time to time projected the activities of Premier Wen to its readers/viewers. Let me put it to you this way. He is a familiar face for those in India who watch television and read newspapers and magazines.

I have had the privilege of meeting Premier Wen Jiabao on a number of occasions since I took over as Ambassador in August 2003. I had also accompanied Prime Minister Vajpayee during his visit in June 2003 and had the benefit of being present during discussions between the two Prime Ministers. I have developed great respect for Premier Wen Jiabao. He is a most able leader and a person with great compassion.

Question 3: How do you evaluate the current Sino-Indian relationship? What do you think of the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries?

Answer: Relations between our two countries have progressed steadily over the last five years. The pace has quickened in the recent past and Premier Wen’s forthcoming visit to India will enable us to further broad base the ongoing process of development and diversification of our relations. It would also add to the trust and understanding that is growing between our countries.

Over the last few years as relations between our two countries have developed and diversified, our two economies have continued to grow rapidly and our bilateral interaction has also strengthened. Bilateral trade has grown very significantly and the challenge before us now is to sustain a sufficiently high growth rate in the years ahead. Economic cooperation activities have also progressed.

The Joint Study Group established by our Prime Ministers in June 2003 to examine potential complementarities and draw up a programme for development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation has very recently concluded its work. We look forward to studying the JSG’s recommendations for, we wish to benefit from these to further cement the trade and economic partnership between our two countries. There is need for much greater trade facilitation on both sides. Information gaps still remain but the process of discovering each other’s markets and opportunities is well underway and bodes well.

The development of India-China trade and economic cooperation has to be a cooperative venture between our two countries.

Question 4: Border issues has long been the key issue in bilateral relations. Will the two PMs talk about the border issue during the meetings?

Answer: I have no doubt that the two Prime Ministers will discuss the subject of the border when they meet in New Delhi next month. You will recall that they appointed Special Representative with the mandate to explore, from the political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship, the framework of the boundary settlement. The SRs have met four times already and their efforts have progressed in a positive manner. Their work will no doubt be discussed by the two Prime Ministers.

Question 5: In what aspects do you think China and India could promote cooperation in the future?

Answer: India and China are neighbours with a history of extensive contact. There were of course periods of inactivity between us not only in the historical context but also in the modern context. Presently our two countries are in the process of rediscovering each other for there has been a realization, particularly I believe in China, that it is in our mutual interest to not only build trust and understanding but to extensively learn from each other’s developmental and other experiences and to reinvigorate efforts to resolve the differences between us.

In addition to further developing trade and economic cooperation, our effort is to strengthen exchanges in areas such as culture, education, science and technology, youth, development [both economic and social] and tourism. We also need to expand media exchanges.

India is an inclusive, open, multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-lingual society. Perhaps the most important ancient bond between our two countries is Buddhism. There appears to be a revival of Buddhism in China and this can again provide a vehicle for both sides to know more about not only each other’s traditions but more importantly our contemporary situations.

Question 6: Some officials of India regard China’s development as a threat? What do you think of this?

Answer: I am not aware which official you are referring to. We in India are very happy with the very substantial progress made by the people of China over the last two and half decades. We do not envy your success.

Question 7: China has given top priority to the relations with its neighbouring countries. What do you think of China’s good neighbourly policy? Do you think India has benefited from it?

Answer: It would not be appropriate for me to comment on China’s policies with other countries. In so far as India is concerned, we have always sought good relations with China and we are happy to see that this desire of ours is now being reciprocated. Cooperation between our two countries can be meaningful and lasting only when it is mutually beneficial.

Question 8: What do you think of the just concluded China National People’s Congress meeting? What do you think of anti-secession law?

Answer: The NPC meets every year in March to review the work of the Government in the preceeding year and to approve the Government’s work plans for the year in question. The sessions are therefore always of great interest to us for we are keen to learn about China’s progress and its plans. We found the session this year very useful and educative. We now have a better understanding of your Government’s plans for the current year.

I have no comment to offer on the anti-secession law. We were invited for and attended the briefing given by NPC Vice Chairman Wang Zhaoguo during which he provided explanations on the proposed law. This enabled us to have a better understanding of the provisions of the law.

Question 9: When did you take the position as Ambassador in China? What is your impression towards China and the Chinese people? Anything impressed you most during your stay in China?

Answer: I assumed the post of Ambassador of India in China on 23 August, 2003. In the three years prior to that I had been visiting China on a reasonably regular basis. As Ambassador of India in China, it is my duty to try and further develop and diversify our bilateral relations. We have been working hard at this and have I believe achieved a fair measure of success in this endeavour.

My family and I feel at home in China. We have traveled a little but not as much as we would have liked. China is undoubtedly a beautiful country. And your development is impressive.

What has impressed me most is that the people are friendly and increasingly interested in India.

Question 10: It is known to all that India and Pakistan have worked together to improve bilateral relations and solve their differences. What is the attitude India holds toward Pakistan and what measures will India take to solve the difference?

Answer: India has always sought friendship with Pakistan and this approach has not changed. The Government of India has over the years taken many many initiatives to improve relations with Pakistan and we continue to do so. It is our earnest hope that our efforts will be crowned with success. This hope is based on the fact that there is simply too much in common between the peoples of India and Pakistan.