Kochi: Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday said that Sino-Indian relationship should be viewed not only in the context of problems, but in terms of opportunities as well.
Addressing the media after the launch of a few schemes at the Regional Passport Office here, Mr. Tharoor said India had a fundamentally healthy relationship with China that went beyond the boundary issue. “The very fact of border talks is confirmation that the relationship remains healthy,” he said, referring to the recent round of talks between special representatives of both countries in New Delhi.
“While boundary talks are important, China has become India’s single largest trade partner [overtaking the United States] exclusive of IT (information technology) sector,” Mr. Tharoor said. He said that the fact that many Indian companies had set up shop in Chinese cities like Shanghai and many Chinese companies had come to India to do business showed the interpenetration of India and China in each other’s market. A large number of tourist visas were being issued to Chinese travellers with eagerness to explore India while many Indians took the Mansarovar yatra, he said.
On a question regarding the security of Indian Diaspora in Australia against racial attacks, he said the Centre had left the Australian government in doubt as to the seriousness with which it viewed the situation. “Education is a major sector in Australia and our 90,000 strong student community there contributes Australian $ 15 billion to its economy. That is a significant population and we have shared our concerns with the government of Australia,” he said.
Name Of Source: The Hindu