Modi to visit China in May

Chinese President Xi Jinping Monday said he is looking forward to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit to China and that China and India need to "patiently manage differences."

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj in Beijing, who attended a foreign minister meeting between China, India and Russia and is preparing Modi's visit, expected in May.

"Both sides should grab the opportunity of the century and work together on their development strategies. China and India should continue their cooperation in various fields, including industrial parks and the railway project, to benefit the 2.5 billion people of the two countries and the global economy," Xi said.

Xi also urged both sides to better manage their differences so as not to damage bilateral relations.

It will be Modi's first official visit to China since he took office in May last year.

Although the exact date has not been finalized, Modi will visit China by May 26, before he completes his first year in office, Swaraj said.

China hopes to dispel doubts about its "One Belt, One Road" initiative and improve ties with India, analysts said.

"In a rare meeting with a visiting foreign minister, the Chinese president has demonstrated the importance he attaches to Sino-Indian relations," Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow with the Institute of International Relations at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

Modi's visit will likely deepen mutual trust, seek investment and trade opportunities for India and discuss border issues.

"Modi is in great need of foreign investments as he tries to boost India's economy," Hu said.

During Xi's visit to India in September last year, China and India signed 12 agreements, one of which promised that China would invest $20 billion in India's infrastructure over the next five years.

The Press Trust of India reported that Xi was expected to take Modi to his home province of Shaanxi to repay the hospitality he received in the Indian premier's home state of Gujarat.

Analysts have called for patience and caution in solving the border problem but said China should grab the opportunity to dispel doubts from India on other key issues.

"India still has concerns over China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative. Given India's enormous influence in South Asia, especially over countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, it would be wise for China to dispel such doubts during Modi's visit and show India that the initiative is really meant to benefit both countries," Chen Fengjun, a Peking University professor, told the Global Times on Monday.

The "One Belt, One Road" project, which refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, was launched by Xi and aims to promote economic cooperation with European and Asian countries along the ancient trade route on land and also sea routes that reach as far as Africa.

According to the India Express, Swaraj said Modi and Xi were ready to discuss "out of the box" ideas to resolve the longstanding and contentious border issues.

"I told them during the talks that we should avoid passing on this dispute to the next generation. They responded positively," Swaraj said, adding that India remains committed to an "early settlement" of the border issues.

"Although it was Swaraj's first time to China, her speech conveyed a more positive signal than her predecessors," Chen said. "I have hopes that there will be some groundbreaking development between the two countries [during Modi's visit]. However, it is too early to tell whether progress will be made on border issues."

Analysts believe that great uncertainty remains as India's domestic politics could heavily influence its foreign policy.

"The popularity of the BJP party, India's economy and the rise of nationalism among the large Hindu population could all play a part," Hu said. "External factors, such as influence from the US and Japan, could also influence India's policy."

US President Barack Obama last week paid a high-profile visit to India aimed at bolstering ties between the two countries.

Shortly before Obama's trip, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India in December and pledged to supply India with oil, weapons and nuclear power reactors.

"Some say that the announcement of Modi's visit is to assure China that India is not siding with the US after Obama's visit. I disagree. Modi has established his diplomatic style as a leader who seeks to build ties with all major powers and maintain a balance among them to derive maximum benefits for his country," Wang Dehua, a research fellow at the Shanghai Municipal Center for International Studies, told the Global Times.

In a commentary on Monday, China's Xinhua News Agency said the trilateral regular meeting mechanism for foreign ministers of India, China and Russia is a sign of India's intention to seek a balance when it comes to dealings with major global players.