PM Modi to visit China in May, Swaraj mends fences

Swaraj who was accompanied by the new Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar held talks with her Chinese counterpart on “issues of concern” and emphasised that maintenance of peace and tranquillity at the border was a pre-requisite for growth of ties. The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) would undertake the visit (to China) before the BJP-led government completes one year in office, Swaraj told reporters in Beijing. Swaraj held a lengthy round of talks with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, and said modalities for the operationalisation of the second route of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in Tibet via Sikkim has been finalised. Both sides exchanged notes under which the first batch of pilgrims would travel through the route from June this year.

Her talks with Wang stretched to over two hours followed by dinner. They discussed the resolution of the border issue, which is being tackled by Special Representatives of both the countries.

Swaraj said Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping were leaders with strong “will power” and both think out of the box.