Bilateral Dialogue Between USI And CIISS At Beijing : 10-13 September 2013
A Brief Report
General
1. A four member delegation comprising the following visited China for its annual bilateral dialogue with China Institute for International Strategic Studies (CIISS) in Beijing from 09-14 Sep 2013 :-
(a) Major General PJS Sandhu (Retd), Deputy Director & Editor - Leader.
(b) Air Marshal KK Nohwar, PVSM,VM (Retd)
(c) Commodore Sujeet Samaddar, NM (Retd).
(d) Dr Roshan Khaniejo.
2. USI and CIISS have been holding bilateral dialogue since 1992. The outline programme of the visit was as under :-
(a) Discussion at CIISS on 10 Sep 2013.
(b) Cultural visit to Xia’an (capital city of Shaanxi Province) on 11-12 Sep 2013.
(c) Meeting with Admiral Sun Jianguo, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, PLA and Chairman, CIISS, on 13 Sep 2013.
(d) Discussion at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) on 13 Sep 2013.
Highlights of the Visit
CIISS
3. The following subjects were discussed :-
(i) Space and Cyber Security.
(ii) Maritime Security.
(iii) Nuclear Terrorism and CBMs.
(iv) Sino-Indian Relations – The Way Forward
(v) Proposals for Joint collaboration between USI and CIISS.
Meeting with Admiral Sun Jianguo, Deputy Chief of General Staff, PLA and Chairman, CIISS
4. The delegation called on Admiral Sun Jianguo and the meeting lasted for about 1 h and 10 min. The Admiral highlighted the importance given by them to Sino-Indian relations. He cited that the first country that the Chinese Premier visited after taking over was India. He stressed that small problems should be set aside so as to pay attention to major issues like trade and economic development. He was appreciative of the contributions made by the USI towards developing better understanding and relations between the two countries.
5. Maj Gen Sandhu in his response mentioned that there was a need to talk to each other in a free and frank manner to remove any mistrust. At the strategic level, it was important to keep in mind the core interests of each other, as also to evolve a system of clear signaling to avoid misperceptions during crisis / confrontations / stand offs. He thanked the Admiral for his keen interested in the bilateral dialogue and invited him to give a talk at the USI when he visits Delhi next.
Visit to CICIR
6. The following issues were discussed :-
(a) The US rebalancing to Asia-Pacific.
(b) Stabilisation of Afghanistan post 2014.
7. On the US pivot to the Asia-Pacific, they felt that some of China’s neighbours have moved away from China due to increased US presence and pressure. However, US needs China to solve economic and security problems in Asia.
8. They felt that India will maintain its strategic autonomy and would not become a part of the US design and hence it is not much of a concern.
Conclusion
9. The delegation was received with warmth and extended all courtesies and hospitality. The discussions were free and frank and held in a cordial atmosphere. The Chinese attach great importance to their relations with India and would like these to be stable and based on cooperation rather than confrontation.
10. The next bilateral dialogue will be hosted by the USI at New Delhi in 2014.
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Photographs from USI Delegation Visit to China : 09-14 Sep 2013 |
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Major General PJS Sandhu (Retd), DD&E, Leader of the USI Delegation being received by Admiral Sun Jianguo, |
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USI Delegation with Admiral Sun Jianguo and Staff from Left to Right : Dr Roshan, Cmde Samaddar, |
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| Meeting with Admiral Sun Jianguo in progress |
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| Major General Sandhu presenting USI Memento to Admiral Sun Jianguo |